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Canyons Board Approves $6.87 Million Property‑tax Increase to Fund Staff Pay and School Renovations
Summary
The Canyons Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 4 to raise property taxes by about $6.871 million above the certified tax rate, allocating roughly $2.371 million for operations (including staff COLAs) and $4.5 million for capital to begin elementary school renovations as debt retires.
The Canyons Board of Education approved a property‑tax increase of roughly $6,871,000 above the certified tax rate at a Truth in Taxation hearing on Aug. 4, 2026. The motion, moved by Board member Bridal and seconded by a board colleague, passed unanimously after public comment and board discussion.
Business Administrator Leon Wilcox told the board and attendees the increase — about a 5.5% rise over the certified rate — directs approximately $2,371,000 toward operations (including employee cost‑of‑living adjustments) and $4,500,000 into capital revenues to address aging elementary schools. Wilcox said the district intends to shift revenues into capital as existing general obligation debt retires to begin renovations on elementary buildings that are more than 50 years old.
Supporters at the hearing cited teacher and support‑staff retention as a primary rationale. Public commenters and multiple board members highlighted funding shortfalls caused by successive state income‑tax reductions and unfunded mandates that have reduced state aid to local schools. In response to public questions, Wilcox described prior state support: a 4% WPU increase that translated into a roughly 1.5% COLA already granted and said the new local increase would add additional percentage points for employees such that the combined increase would be larger.
President Schill read the motion before the vote, specifying that the increase would produce $6,871,000 above the certified rate, with $2,371,000 for operations and $4,500,000 for capital, and grant final approval for the 2026–27 budget presented at the June 16 budget hearing. The board voted aye and the motion passed unanimously.
The district posted public notices and held prior hearings required by Utah law; Wilcox also reminded property owners about county assessment appeals and senior tax‑relief options with deadlines and instructions available on the district and Salt Lake County websites.
