Hooper's 2026 tax rate records list three different rates
Hooper proposed $128,000 more in property tax for the sheriff's contract. The hearing notice, the draft resolution and the draft minutes of the Aug. 6 vote each give a different rate.
Continuing story: Auditing Hooper
Hooper, Utah held a hearing on Aug. 6, 2026, on its fiscal 2027 budget and a proposed property tax increase. The packet and the draft minutes of that meeting state three different tax rates. [1][2]
The proposal
The notice of property tax increase in the Aug. 6 packet says the city proposed $128,000 a year of additional property tax revenue, 46.55% above the prior year's budgeted revenue excluding new growth. It says the city tax on a $630,000 residence would rise from $95.98 to $140.68, or $44.70 a year. [1]
The tax impact schedule lists a current rate of .000283 and a proposed estimated rate of .000417, with revenue rising from $268,904 to $396,904. It lists police at $874,171 with or without the change; without it, $128,000 would come from unrestricted fund balance. [1]
The schedule says the increase covers the Weber County Sheriff's added costs for police services, "including them hiring 6 new officers," and that it is not advised to use fund balance for these increases. [1]
Three rates
The draft Resolution R-2026-02 in the packet states: "The City's tax rate for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be 0.000406 which is the certified rate." Its signature and vote lines are blank. [1]
Draft minutes of the Aug. 6 meeting, included for approval in the Sept. 17 packet, record: "COUNCIL MEMBER HILL MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-02; APPROVING THE CERTIFIED TAX RATE 0.000283." Councilmembers Ryan Hill, Larry Ropelato and Ray Hancock voted aye; Councilmember Dale Fowers was excused. [2]
The council then voted 3-0 on a motion by Ropelato approving Resolution R-2026-05, "the 2026-2027 budget with proposed tax increase." One resident spoke at the hearing, asking what in the budget was increasing and why. [2]
The approved budget
Hooper's approved fiscal 2027 budget lists $403,896 of current property taxes and $31,096 of delinquent property taxes. The fiscal 2026 estimate column lists $268,904 of current property taxes. [3]
The budget lists $874,171 for police, compared with a $746,381 estimate for fiscal 2026 and $665,741 actual in fiscal 2025. [3]
As of Oct. 16, the city's meeting page listed no minutes for the Sept. 17 meeting, when the Aug. 6 minutes were on the consent agenda. [4]
The tax figures cover only the city's portion of a property tax bill. The Aug. 6 minutes in the Sept. 17 packet were submitted for approval; their approval date field is blank. The Ledger has not seen the signed rate resolution or the county's certification.
Sources
- Hooper City Council · Aug. 6, 2026 packet (tax notice, impact schedule, draft resolutions)
- Hooper City Council · Sept. 17, 2026 amended packet (draft Aug. 6 minutes)
- Hooper City · FY2027 approved budget
- Hooper City · Meeting minutes and packets index
Reporting by The Utah Ledger from the public records above. AI-assisted, checked against those records.