Millcreek homeowners in the Granite School District have one scheduled chance to speak up about a proposed $21.7 million property tax increase: a Truth in Taxation hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m.

The district published its amended final agenda and public comment instructions on Aug. 11, confirming how residents can participate in person, online or in writing.

Budget Officer Todd Hauber will present the proposed tax increase statement to the board. President Nicole McDermott will preside. The increase, about 11.2% above the certified tax rate, would fund K-2 class size reduction ($4 million), instructional coaches ($4.5 million), school rebuilds ($4.5 million), school safety guardians ($1.6 million) and other priorities across the district.

As we reported July 22, much of the proposed increase was originally part of a 2025-26 tax hike that never took effect after the Utah State Tax Commission denied it on a procedural technicality involving how the district printed its hearing agenda.

At the board's June 16 meeting, Hauber told members that without the increase, "We will be 21 million dollars short of balancing the budget and we would have to go to budget reductions, immediately."

Three ways to comment

In person: Show up at the Granite Education Center, 2500 S. State Street, Salt Lake City. A sign-up sheet will be available in the foyer outside Auditorium A. No advance registration is required for public hearings.

Via Zoom: Fill out the online comment form at GraniteSchools.org/board/public-comment and check the box for virtual comments. Zoom instructions will be emailed directly to those who sign up.

In writing: Email comments to [email protected]. Written comments are entered into the official record.

The district will also live-stream the hearing on the GraniteSchools.org homepage and its YouTube channel for residents who want to watch without speaking.

One important note: the board's usual 30-minute cap on public comment under Board Policy 11.D does not apply to public hearings like this one.

What's at stake

The $21.7 million increase spans two levies: $15.6 million in the board local levy for day-to-day operations and $5.5 million in the capital local levy for building projects. The district's property tax impact schedule, showing estimated increases by home value, is published at GraniteSchools.org/budgetdevelopment.

Board member Kim Chandler cast the lone "no" vote on the interim budget and preliminary tax rate at the June 16 meeting, objecting to spending on Social-Emotional Learning programs and Chromebook costs. The remaining six members voted yes. All seven voted unanimously to authorize the Aug. 18 hearing.

The hearing is the public's only scheduled opportunity to address the board before it sets the final 2026-27 tax rate.

Upcoming

• Tuesday, Aug. 18, 6 p.m. — Truth in Taxation Hearing, Granite Education Center, 2500 S. State Street, Salt Lake City (Auditorium A). In-person, Zoom and written comments accepted.