Herriman City Increases Law Enforcement Property Tax

The Herriman City Council voted 5-0 to increase property tax revenue for the Herriman City Safety Enforcement Area by 12.2% at a Truth-in-Taxation public hearing Tuesday night. The HCSEA funds Herriman Police Department services. The Council provided public notice in June of a proposed increase of up to 15%, and after reviewing the analysis and considering public feedback, it decided 12.2% was the appropriate amount. 

The other two City-controlled entities that levy property taxes, Herriman City and the Herriman City Fire Service Area, had no change. 

The increase primarily will offset rising costs due to inflation and average police officer salaries. In Utah, property tax revenue automatically increases yearly as new property is developed, but there is no built-in mechanism for offsetting inflation or market changes. The City Council directed that new growth revenue will pay for new services (i.e., additional officers), while adjustments to the property tax rate will exclusively offset inflationary and market costs.

With inflationary costs and market changes considered in the increase, the City will establish a law enforcement fleet replacement fund to help protect against unpredictable volatility in the automotive industry. The police department may now also restore its mental health specialist staff position and hire one new police officer.

Herriman’s finance structure separates public safety funding from general City operations. Paired with offsetting inflationary and market pressures, the HCSEA increase is also meant to reduce the need to pay for law enforcement costs from the City’s general fund, allowing the City to use those funds for other City projects such as roadway improvement.

Tuesday’s vote was the first time the Herriman City Council raised property taxes since the City was incorporated in 1999. The three City-controlled entities combined comprise approximately 25.5% of the property tax bill paid by Herriman residents and businesses.

Video of the public hearing can be seen at this link.