In Salt Lake County, the Jordan Valley Water District is proposing to raise its tax rate to the statutory limit, about 35 percent above the certified county tax rate. The increase will cost residents in the district about $14 more per year on a $243,000 home.

Assistant general manager Bart Forsyth said the water district has about $241 million in capital needs over the next 10 years. The district is employing a philosophy of pay-as-you-go for one-third of those costs, and bonding for the remaining two-thirds.

Bonding agencies also favor that philosophy, Forsyth said, allowing the district to borrow money at lower rates.

The Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area will raise taxes for the first time since becoming a special service district in 1969.

The district is proposing a 16.1 percent increase, meaning residents in the service area will pay about $20 more per year on a $300,000 home.

"We have reached a point now where because of the age of our buildings, the cost of utilities and insurance, we need a slight increase," said Bart Hopkin, assistant director.

The Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake City and Sandy is proposing to keep its tax rate the same, but its tax revenue will increase because of changes in the assessed valuation.

District general manager Mike Wilson said the increased revenue is needed for operational costs as the Point of the Mountain Water Treatment Plant prepares to come online. The $250 million Draper facility is in the startup and testing phase and could begin operations by the end of the month.

In South Jordan, the city is proposing to boost its revenue by 28 percent from a year ago. The city's annual tax on a $340,000 home would be roughly $320, an increase of about $35.

West Valley City also will hold a truth in taxation hearing as its revenues will increase because of a slight change in assessed valuation.

Other Salt Lake County taxing entities holding hearings are Draper, which is proposing a 75.6 percent increase above the county's certified tax rate; the Emigration Improvement District, which is calling for a 51.5 percent increase above the certified rate.

Residents of Alpine, Cedar Fort, Cedar Hills, Highland and Woodland Hills will also receive a notice that their cities are planning to have truth-in-taxation hearings this August because those cities are considering increasing their tax rate.

"I think people in the cities that are asking for an increase will be the ones that the (tax notices) will catch their attention," said Utah County Clerk/Auditor Bryan Thompson. "Residents need to talk to their cities and understand why (the cities) are asking for the increase."

All three Utah County school districts — Alpine, Provo and Nebo districts — are also planning on asking for an increase — an unusual occurrence for the county, Thompson said.

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Contributing: Amy Choate-Nielsen

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