Eagle Mountain council set, repealed and reset its 2026 property tax rate in August

The city's May 5, 2026 impact schedule listed a current property tax rate of 0.000534 and current property tax revenue of $2,839,998, against proposed revenue of $6,958,141 more, for a total of $9,798,139. ^[1] The city says 100 percent of its property tax goes to public safety and that Eagle Mountain contracts with the Utah County Sheriff's Office. ^[2]

On Aug. 6, 2026, the council voted unanimously for a rate of 0.001500, which the Daily Herald reported would raise about $5.5 million and about $255 a year for a median household. The city had proposed 0.001700. The Herald reported it was the city's first property tax increase in 15 years. ^[3]

Arguments published by each side

City: Councilman Craig Whiting said the statement that 100 percent of the increase goes to public safety is true, and that it frees sales tax money used for public safety for other needs, including hires and wage increases. ^[3][4]

Residents: A sponsor of the referendum application told the Herald the main concern was a lack of transparency and that the city could not provide a line-item breakdown. The sponsor said the group believes the city has a legitimate need for some increase. At the Aug. 6 hearing, residents cited cost of living, young families and people on fixed incomes. ^[3][4]

Referendum and the Aug. 18 vote

Thirteen residents submitted a referendum application on Aug. 11, 2026. A city spokesperson said a repeal of the approved rate would nullify the referendum on it. ^[4]

On Aug. 18 the council repealed the earlier rate and approved 0.000900, a 69.81 percent increase over 0.000530, with additional revenue of $2,132,876 and about $99 more per year for a median-priced home. Councilman Rich Wood cast the only dissenting vote. ^[5] The council also approved a fiscal 2026-27 budget of $363,992,973; the Herald reported $1 million for the rodeo grounds and $2.5 million for land acquisition were removed. ^[5][6]