Sandy homeowners looking at their property tax notices will see a $72 bump on the Canyons School District line, but their total school-related bill will rise only about $27 a year. That's $2.25 a month.
The difference: a $45 drop in debt-service payments offsets most of the gross increase, according to a district press release published Monday, July 27. As we reported July 21, the proposed increase would add $72.42 per year to the average $770,000 home. The district's new breakdown clarifies that figure is only half the picture.
Where the money goes
The proposed rate hike would generate $6.9 million in new revenue for the 2026-2027 school year, Business Administrator Leon Wilcox told the Canyons Board of Education at its May 19 meeting. Three line items account for the spending:
Employee raises: $2.2 million would fund a 2.25% cost-of-living adjustment for all district employees, including teachers, Education Support Professionals, and administrators. Without the increase, employees would receive 1.50%. Even at 2.25%, the raise falls short of the 2.8% Consumer Price Index increase for 2025-2026.
Innovation Center teachers: $210,000 would hire one manufacturing teacher and one engineering teacher for the Canyons Innovation Center, scheduled to open in August 2027. The center is being built at the former eBay regional headquarters in Draper.
Debt-to-capital shift: The remaining $4.5 million moves tax revenue from the "debt" bucket to the "capital" bucket. The average homeowner's debt-service payment would drop by about $45, offsetting most of the gross increase. The district says the money would still pay general obligation bond debt for now, but the long-term goal is to retire that debt in coming years and use the freed-up capital funds to rebuild or renovate aging elementary schools without raising taxes further. Canyons has 13 elementary buildings more than 50 years old.
A rare move
This is only the fourth time in Canyons School District's history that the board has proposed raising the certified tax rate, according to the district's June 2 board summary. The board voted unanimously on June 16 to authorize the Truth-in-Taxation hearing. Board member Katie Dahle made the motion; Amanda Oaks seconded.
How to weigh in
The hearing is set for Tuesday, August 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. Each speaker gets two minutes.
- Via Zoom: Register through the district's website at canyonsdistrict.org.
- In writing: Email [email protected] with your name, address, and comments of up to 450 words. Written comments will be read aloud and kept as part of the official record.
The meeting 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 Tuesday, September 1. Those who believe their home is overvalued may appeal to the Board of Equalization by Tuesday, September 15.
