A statewide taxpayer watchdog is calling out Canyons School District for asking property owners to pay more for the third consecutive year, as the district holds its Truth-in-Taxation hearing Tuesday evening in Sandy.

The Utah Taxpayers Association on Aug. 4 identified Canyons as one of only nine taxing entities in Utah seeking a property tax increase for a third straight year. Statewide, 67 entities are proposing a combined $93.6 million in additional property-tax revenue this August.

For Sandy homeowners, the bottom line hasn't changed since we reported July 28: a net increase of $27.03 a year on a $770,000 home, or $2.25 a month. The gross bump on the Canyons line is $72.42, but a roughly $45 drop in debt-service payments offsets most of it.

What the money buys

The proposed rate hike would generate approximately $6.9 million in new revenue for the 2026-2027 school year. According to district budget documents, that breaks down into three buckets:

• $2.2 million for a 2.25% cost-of-living adjustment for all district employees. Without the increase, employees would get only 1.5%, below the 2.8% Consumer Price Index rise for 2025-2026.
• $210,000 to hire one manufacturing teacher and one engineering teacher at the Canyons Innovation Center, a career-tech facility being built at the former eBay regional headquarters in Draper and scheduled to open in August 2027.
• $4.5 million shifted from the debt-service levy to the capital levy to accelerate bond payoff and fund future renovations at 13 elementary buildings that are more than 50 years old.

The Canyons Board of Education voted unanimously on June 16 to authorize the hearing. Board member Katie Dahle made the motion; Amanda Oaks seconded.

For context, this is only the fourth time in the district's history since its founding in 2009 that the board has proposed raising the certified tax rate, according to board records from the June 2 meeting.

The watchdog's concern

In a statement released Aug. 4, Billy Hesterman, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, said entities that return year after year owe taxpayers a clear explanation of their spending plans.

"Government should not need to ask residents for additional revenue year after year without presenting a credible long-term plan to control spending," Hesterman said.

The association noted that 11 other entities, including Granite School District, Salt Lake City and West Jordan City, are holding hearings for a fourth consecutive year.

How to weigh in

The hearing is Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Canyons Board of Education Chambers, 9361 S. 300 East, Sandy. Residents can participate three ways:

• In person: Sign up on the sheet at least 15 minutes before 6 p.m. Speakers get two minutes.
• Via Zoom: Register at canyonsdistrict.org.
• In writing: Email the district with your name, address and comments of up to 450 words. Written comments are read aloud and kept in the official record.

The hearing will also be broadcast live on CSDtv at canyonsdistrict.org.

Homeowners on fixed incomes may qualify for one of seven state property tax relief programs; the application deadline is Sept. 1. Those who believe their property is overvalued may appeal to the Board of Equalization by Sept. 15.