January 2, 2026

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — A citizen-led referendum to stop Salt Lake County’s nearly 15% property-tax increase has been officially cleared to proceed, and signature collection is now underway.

On December 31, 2025, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office completed its statutory review and determined that the referendum application is legally referable to voters under Utah law. The Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office subsequently transmitted final materials, allowing sponsors to begin circulating petition packets.

The referendum would prevent the proposed property-tax increase from taking effect and instead allow voters to decide later this year whether the increase should be approved.

“This referendum gives taxpayers a voice before another major tax hike takes effect,” said Goud Maragani, a spokesperson for Tax Referendum Salt Lake County. “Families, seniors, and residents on fixed incomes are already stretched thin. This process ensures voters — not bureaucrats — make the final decision.”

Petition packets are now being printed and distributed. Each packet contains space for up to 100 signatures. Organizers report that volunteers are already mobilizing across the County.

Under Utah law, referendum sponsors must collect approximately 45,000 valid signatures within 45 days in order to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Residents who wish to:

• sign the petition, or
• help collect signatures

can email NoTaxSLCo@gmail.com to request a packet or arrange delivery. 

Referendum supporters emphasize that the measure does not eliminate County services or defund public safety. Instead, it pauses the tax increase while Salt Lake County evaluates alternatives such as reducing administrative overhead, eliminating duplicative programs, and improving efficiency.

Supporters argue that the County can avoid a tax increase by cutting less than 2% of overall spending, a level of adjustment that families routinely make when budgets tighten.

Most residents of Salt Lake County have already absorbed significant property-tax increases from school districts, special service districts, and other taxing entities.

The County’s proposed 15% property-tax increase is the straw that will break the camel’s back for many families, seniors, and residents on fixed incomes.

The County can avoid a tax increase by cutting less than 2% of its spending. Families in Salt Lake County make these types of adjustments all the time. There is no reason the County cannot do the same.

That is why residents are supporting the referendum.

This referendum simply prevents the 15% property-tax increase from taking effect while the County implements responsible, common-sense budget reforms.

• It does not eliminate services
• It does not defund public safety
• It does require the County to live within its means

Opponents of the referendum rely on predictable “the sky is falling” rhetoric.

They warn of cuts to essential services — without first cutting their own administrative bloat or eliminating duplicated programs.

Salt Lake County residents are not arguing for inaction.

They are advocating for responsible, prioritized budgeting that protects core services while eliminating waste and inefficiency.

Publicly available data (Utah Stories, OpenPayrolls.org) shows:

• 100+ County employees earn over $189,000 per year
• Median household income is approximately $97,000
• Senior administrative staffing has expanded far beyond prior norms

Recommendations

• Reduce senior administrative positions
• Eliminate five Deputy / Associate Deputy Mayor positions
• Retain one Deputy Mayor and one Chief of Staff
• Focus leadership resources on core County functions

Within the office of Regional Development (Current budget: $28.3 million), many functions already overlap with:

• Municipal Services District (MSD)
• Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC)
• State and municipal economic-development agencies

With little developable land remaining in unincorporated areas, these functions can be consolidated or phased out without harming residents.

Fewer than 11,000 residents live in unincorporated Salt Lake County. Yet the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Bureau maintains 70+ sworn patrol officers, far exceeding typical ratios, and despite an impending state law requiring annexation of most unincorporated areas.

Recommendations

• Eliminate or substantially reduce the patrol function of the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Bureau
• Contract remaining patrol needs through UPD or other agencies
• Redirect savings to jail operations and corrections, which serve all County residents

This does NOT affect:

• Jail and corrections
• Court bailiffs
• County building security

Only after eliminating duplication and excess administration:

• Apply a transparent, uniform reduction of approximately 5% or less
• Protect essential services
• Avoid raising property taxes

It is the result of years of unchecked administrative expansion and budget growth.

The County can balance its budget without raising property taxes — and without harming essential services.

Salt Lake County has real, responsible alternatives to a 14% tax hike. The County can balance its budget without raising property taxes — and without harming essential services. By:

• Cutting duplication
• Reducing administrative bloat
• Improving public-safety efficiency
• Applying modest, fair reductions only if needed

✔ PROTECT TAXPAYERS
✔ PROTECT ESSENTIAL SERVICES
✔ SUPPORT THE REFERENDUM

Stop the 15% property-tax increase!