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Public weighs in as South Davis Metro Fire Service Area proposes 16.21% tax increase
Summary
Bountiful residents and council members heard a presentation on a proposed 16.21% tax increase by the South Davis Metro Fire Service Area that staff say will raise roughly $1.3 million for salaries, a new deputy fire chief and operating costs; public commenters asked for more detail before the August Truth in Taxation hearing.
City staff presented details of a proposed 16.21% property tax increase for the South Davis Metro Fire Service Area and opened the item for public comment at the June 23 Bountiful City Council meeting.
Tyson, a city staff presenter, said the increase would generate roughly $1.3 million for the service district and gave an example of the homeowner impact: on a house valued at $623,000 the fire tax on that property would rise from $177.72 to $206.53. Staff described the revenue as intended to keep salaries and benefits competitive, to fund the hiring of a deputy fire chief and to cover higher operating expenses.
Public response included support from resident Gary Davis, who said the first responders are “deserving” of the increase, and questions from Ron Mortensen, co‑founder of Citizens for Tax Fairness. Mortensen said his group was taking no position yet and requested a meeting with the fire chief ahead of the Truth in Taxation hearing on Aug. 3 to review revenues, governance and whether the increase is “fair to all property taxpayers.” He provided historical context for his own property’s fire tax — noting a large jump after the district received taxing authority — and urged more transparency on governance and revenue trends.
Council members asked staff and Chief Jeff Larson for additional details about how often pay scales are adjusted and how the district’s pay changes relate to retention. Chief Larson said recent actions addressed paramedic retention and described steps including a nine‑step pay scale, annual merit increases and a recent 2.7% cost‑of‑living adjustment; staff stressed the district’s need to remain competitive amid lateral recruitment by larger departments. Council members were told the administrative committee and the district board had given unanimous support to the proposed increase at the committee and board levels.
What’s next: City staff and council comments will be forwarded to the South Davis Metro Fire District; Mortensen and other stakeholders plan to meet with the chief before the Aug. 3 Truth in Taxation hearing, where the district will present its budget and the public may provide further comment.
Representative quotes from the meeting: • Tyson (city staff): "This would bring in an additional 1.3 million in revenue...for salaries and benefits, to hire a new position, a deputy fire chief, and to cover some of the costs of increased operating expenses." • Ron Mortensen (Citizens for Tax Fairness): "We are taking no position on this proposed property tax increase at this time...We look forward to meeting with the Chief before the Truth in Taxation hearing on August 3rd to learn more about how the district is funded."
