South Davis Metro Fire Service Area is set to finalize a 16.31% property tax increase that would add about $30 a year to the typical Bountiful-area homeowner's fire district bill.

The fire district, which serves Bountiful, North Salt Lake, Woods Cross, Centerville, West Bountiful and unincorporated southern Davis County, held a required Truth-in-Taxation public hearing on Aug. 3 at Station 81 in Bountiful. Under Resolution 2026-09, the Board of Trustees has until Tuesday, Sept. 1 to adopt a final tax rate and budget.

No public record of a final vote has been posted as of Aug. 30.

The proposed increase would raise the district's property tax rate from 0.000519 to a proposed 0.000593, generating roughly $1.3 million in new revenue. For a home at the county's average market value of $651,000, the annual fire district tax would climb from $182.61 to $212.32, according to the Davis County notice of proposed tax increase filed with the state.

Where the money goes

The district's fiscal year 2027 general fund faced a projected shortfall of approximately $1.9 million, according to a budget impact statement signed by Interim Fire Chief Jeff Larsen on May 7. About $676,118 would come from the district's fund balance. The rest would come from the tax increase.

The new revenue breaks down into three categories: $807,140 for salary and benefit increases to stay competitive, $238,853 for a new deputy fire chief position and $255,977 for higher operating costs.

The Board of Trustees voted 5-0 on June 15 to adopt the interim budget and set the proposed tax levy. Trustee Ryan Westergard was absent. Board members Kate Bradshaw, Clark Wilkinson, Brian Horrocks, Ken Romney and Bob Stevenson all voted yes.

Bradshaw also serves as Bountiful's mayor.

Second increase in three years

This is not the district's first recent rate hike. In fiscal year 2024, the board raised the property tax rate from 0.000475 to 0.000563, bringing in an estimated $1.2 million in additional revenue, according to the district's financial audit.

South Davis Metro Fire's proposed increase is the largest among nine Davis County taxing entities seeking hikes this year, KSL reported on Aug. 4. Statewide, 67 entities proposed a combined $93.58 million in property tax increases for fiscal year 2027, according to the Utah Taxpayers Association.

"Property-tax increases should never happen on autopilot," Billy Hesterman, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, told KSL on Aug. 4. "Truth-in-taxation hearings give taxpayers a chance to ask why more revenue is needed, how the money will be spent and whether elected officials considered alternatives."

The board's next scheduled meeting is Sept. 21. Residents can contact the district at 801-677-2400.