North Summit homeowners with an $845,000 primary residence would pay $140.82 more per year under a proposed property-tax increase for the North Summit Fire District.
The district’s annual tax on that residence would rise from $509.83 to $650.65, according to its official notice. The increase applies to the fire district’s portion of the property-tax bill.
Parcel-specific notices showing each property owner’s proposed increase will be mailed Oct. 23 as inserts in property-tax notices, according to the district’s Truth in Taxation page.
Fire Chief Ben Nielson and Administrative Battalion Chief Tyler Rowser presented the proposal to the Summit County Council on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The 27.62% increase would generate roughly $635,265 in additional annual revenue for operations, fire protection, emergency medical services, personnel, equipment and facilities.
The district proposed a smaller 4.56% increase last year that would have raised about $100,000. Officials withdrew it in December after public pushback, the Park Record reported.
Nielson told the council the district faces a cash-flow problem because property-tax revenue arrives largely in December while expenses continue throughout the year. He said he is working with Summit County Treasurer Corrie Forsling on a tax anticipation note to bridge the gap, according to the Park Record.
The district has struggled financially since transitioning from a volunteer force to a professional one in 2022, when it enacted a 300% property-tax increase. Nielson told the district’s board Oct. 8 that it still is not financially stable, KPCW reported.
He pointed to aging engines and buildings needing repairs. The district’s relatively small tax base of about 6,000 parcels means additional revenue needs translate into substantial percentage increases, he said.
Councilmember Tonja Hanson told KPCW on Oct. 15 that she is concerned about raising taxes on struggling residents but recognizes that the district is struggling too.
Since professionalizing, the district has received an improved insurance rating that can lower home insurance premiums, KPCW reported.
The district is scheduled to present its tentative budget Nov. 4. A Truth in Taxation public hearing is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Summit County Courthouse, 60 N. Main St. in Coalville. Residents can also participate through Zoom using instructions on the district’s website.
Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “2027 Truth in Taxation Public Hearing Comment.”
The Summit County Council has final approval authority over the increase, according to KPCW. No final decision has been made.
