Two Summit County districts give notice of 2027 property tax increases of 28% and 31%

The Summit County Council, sitting as the governing board of the North Summit Fire District and as the appointing authority of the Summit Mosquito Abatement District, heard on Oct. 14 that both districts plan to levy 2027 property tax rates above their certified rates. The notices were required under Utah Code 59-2-919(3)(a). ^[1][2][3]

North Summit Fire District said its increase would raise about $635,265 more a year in property tax revenue, roughly a 27.62% rise, to fund its operating budget, fire protection, emergency medical and rescue services, personnel, apparatus, equipment and facilities. Fire Chief Ben Nielsen was listed to present. A district representative said its board voted unanimously the previous Thursday to recommend it. The district gave an average home value of about $845,000, and speakers put the added cost at roughly $11 a month, or $132 a year. ^[1][2]

A district representative also said the fire district's operating budget does not hold enough cash to cover the full year because it receives property taxes in December, and that this was the potential reason for a tax anticipation note. ^[2]

The Summit Mosquito Abatement District said it would raise about $202,816 more, a 30.77% increase over its 2026 budgeted property tax revenue. The staff report from District Manager Bryan Stephens puts the median primary residence at $1,242,898, with a tax rising from $8.89 to $11.62, or $2.73 a year. A secondary residence of that value would go from $16.16 to $21.13, and a $468,845 commercial property from $6.09 to $7.97. ^[1]

District representatives said the money covers chemicals, field personnel, expanded surveillance for West Nile virus, equipment such as a microscope and tablets, educational mailings and a compliance update to the district's website. One said it is the district's first increase since it was created in 1983. They said no human West Nile cases had been found in the county, one mosquito sample in the northern part of the county tested positive, and a couple of horses did. ^[2]

Because the mosquito district's trustees are appointed, the County Council as appointing authority must approve a Truth in Taxation increase. The mosquito district's hearing is set for Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Summit County Courthouse council chambers in Coalville, and a speaker at the fire district's item pointed to the same date. Notices must be mailed to property owners at least seven days before the general election and 14 days before the hearing, and an increase can be adopted before Dec. 31. ^[1][2]

The county's own recommended $109 million 2027 budget, presented the same day, does not recommend a Truth in Taxation increase. A packet slide listed $107 million, but staff gave $109 million on the recording. ^[1][2][3]