Cottonwood Heights residents will likely see an increase to their property taxes next year. The rate of that property tax increase is still being deliberated by the Cottonwood Heights City Council. However, a final decision needs to be made before June in order to meet Utah State deadlines for the Truth in Taxation process. 

This is one of the city council’s many attempts to try balancing the city’s budget for 2026-27 fiscal year as there is a projected $2.6 million operating deficit (after six-plus years of projected shortfalls). 

“Expenses keep going up. Something that used to cost $100, is not $106 or $107 now; the cost is more like $110,” said Administrative Services and Finance Director Scott Jurges. 

For comparison context, the city’s grand total expenses for the 2019-20 fiscal year’s budget were $1,299,715 (with grand total revenue being $1,863,822) while the 2024-25 fiscal year’s budget grand total expenses were $6,701,429 (with grand total revenue being $4,317,413). 

Overall, the city pulls revenue from roughly 35 different funding sources including varying  taxes, fees, grants, fines and service charges. However, many of those are inconsistent as at least eight of those funding sources are consistently fluctuating and grants are not guaranteed every year. 

Mayor Peterson takes part in the 2021 Buterville Days Parade (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

With increasing inflation and inconsistent revenue, Cottonwood Heights (like many municipalities) is now in a position where the option to either implement a higher property tax increase now or a smaller rate each year (for the next three to five years) is pressing. The city council has been meeting frequently since late last year to discuss this issue. In addition to their annual day-long budget retreat in January, a follow-up budget retreat was held on March 24. 

“It would not be unique for the city to do a property tax increase, especially after post-covid events,” said Councilmember Ellen Birrell.

She also mentioned how in retrospect she wishes they would’ve raised taxes, maybe 3%, each year of the last four years that she’s been serving on the city council, in order to change the situation the city is in now. 

Councilmember Suzanne Hyland told the council she would be in favor of a more moderate tax increase, each year over a handful of years, so residents can assimilate. “If a property tax increase is something close to 13% like the one time the city raised property taxes, it feels like a gut punch,” she said. 

Cottonwood Heights has only raised property taxes twice since the city’s incorporation: 2% in 2010 and 13% in 2018. 

CHPD leases their vehicles from Ken Garff every few years (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

For comparison, the three surrounding cities have increased taxes more frequently. Sandy raised taxes by 1% in 2009, 7% in 2010, 4% in 2015, 33% in 2019 and 15% in 2023. Midvale raised taxes by 12% in 2008, 17% in 2010, 18% in 2020, 7% in 2022, 3% in 2023, 12% in 2024 and 25% in 2025. Holladay raised taxes by 1% in 2008, 3% in 2010, 50% in 2021 and 15% in 2025. 

This year, the city council requested a Citizen Budget Committee to be created to provide some additional perspective. Seven residents applied to be part of the volunteer committee and have been working with city staff members to provide recommendations on how to balance the budget. 

“The city needs a clear multiyear strategy that addresses facility and other long-term maintenance needs and eliminates expense creep. A property tax increase without addressing these issues is the equivalent of slapping a Band-Aid on a gushing wound,” wrote members of the Citizen Budget Committee. 

Birrell would like the city council to consider implementing additional and/or increased impact fees in attempt to pull revenue from other sources. In addition to capturing additional revenues, the city council has been critically analyzing all city expenditures to reduce spending. 

The city council asked all of the city’s departments to consider where to reduce at least 15% of their expenses. After a few months of scrutiny, $2,658,000 worth of varying city expenditures are now at risk of being cut. 

At the top of the list, the decision has already been made to eliminate the culture manager ($110,000) and culture coordinator ($100,000) positions. Additional city staff positions being considered include: treasurer ($75,000), city planner ($100,000), staff engineer ($150,000), ROW inspector ($86,000), two detectives ($300,000) and an animal control/code enforcement officer ($75,000). 

Cottonwood Heights Council considers eliminating fireworks from Butlerville Days (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

In the meantime, the city has implemented a hiring freeze for specific staff positions. The Cottonwood Heights Police Department is already down three officers and won’t be filling at least two of those positions. 

“It costs the city when we have to lose and rehire people,” said Mayor Gay Lynn Bennion. She was not in support of merit increases for city staff members this year. 

Another previous expenditure item that will not be recurring includes specific items for the Butlerville Days annual holiday event (like the parade float at $55,000 and fireworks show). The city council is considering cutting other events like the CHaRM, Sustainability and Arts Council events ($10,000) as well. 

“Remove all the "good to have" projects…This is the best way to gain back trust from our residents and we can start listening to them regarding what services they want to add back,” wrote members of the Citizen Budget Committee. 

Some other expenditures in consideration for reduction include: parks maintenance ($60,000), training and professional services for city staff members ($45,000), legislative lobbying ($38,000), city council travel ($40,000), computer replacements and tech supplies ($46,000), Comcast services ($6,500) and the monthly city newsletter ($70,000) (not the City Journals, just the glossy newsletter wrapped around the newspaper). 

The city council will be continuing to discuss the city’s budget throughout May and June. Public comment sessions are open during every city council meeting, generally held on Tuesday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. at Cottonwood Heights City Hall (2277 Bengal Blvd.). Double-check the city Council Meeting Agendas under “Elected Officials" at: www.cottonwoodheights.utah.gov/your-government. 

To learn more about the city’s budget, visit the city’s website and navigate to the “Your Government” tab to find the “Budget & Financial Reporting” section: www.cottonwoodheights.utah.gov.