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This small town is seeking a 225% property tax increase
This Small Town Is Seeking a 225% Property Tax Increase
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America's Property Tax Headache
By
Giulia Carbonaro
US News Reporter
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
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Homeowners in the small town of Wellington, Utah, could soon be facing much
larger property tax bills as city authorities are seeking a more than 225 percent increase after years of stalling rates.
A looming decision on the property tax hike was postponed on Wednesday by the Wellington City Council after an hourslong public hearing on the same day revealed the depth of residents' concerns over the potential financial burden they could shoulder from a hike.
It is a burden that has gotten heavier for millions of Americans across the country in recent years, as property tax bills have raised in step with home values following the pandemic homebuying frenzy. Nationwide, according to a report by Redfin, property taxes rose
by nearly 30 percent between 2019 and 2024, reaching a monthly median of $250.
'A Pretty Harsh Thing To Swallow'
Under the proposal made by Wellington authorities, the property tax on a $256,000 residence would increase from $216.41 to $704.00, which is $487.59 per year. The tax on a $256,000 business would increase from $393.47 to $1,280.00, which is $886.53 per year.
During the public hearing on Wednesday, Wellington Mayor Jack Clark told a room packed with residents critical of introducing such a steep increase that the hike was necessary.
"This is a pretty harsh thing to swallow," Clark said, as reported by Castle Country Radio. The revenues generated by higher property taxes, he said, will be used for public safety, road repairs, utilities, and other operations essential to keep the city running."
Newsweek reached out to the mayor's office via email.
A low-angle shot of house construction in Utah. A low-angle shot of house construction in Utah. Getty Images
The tax hike, if implemented, would bring the city's revenues up to $1,646,775—which would still leave a gap of $26,550 when compared to Wellington's total expenses, which amount to $1,673,325 according to the city. Without the tax hike, the city would face a shortfall of $400,000.
"This is about preserving the city we have and preserving the future," Clark said.
The Highest Increase in the State—but Not the Only One
The 225.3 percent property tax hike requested by Wellington authorities was the highest sought by in the entire state of Utah for 2026, according to data shared by the Utah Taxpayers Association, an advocacy group calling for lower taxes and sound tax policy in the state.
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"Wellington is a victim of its previous elected officials not being willing to make the hard decisions," a spokesperson for the Utah Taxpayers Association told
Newsweek.
"While the mayor explained in his comments [on Wednesday] that those before him could have done more to prevent such a dramatic increase, he's now left having to figure out how to get the city in a good spot, financially speaking."
But Wellington was not the only small town in the state that pursued double-digit increases.
Uintah City was seeking a property tax increase of 100 percent; Gunnison City of 78.89 percent; Eureka City of 72.21 percent; Howell City of 65.86 percent; and Willard City of 45.51 percent. Some of these cities still have to hold truth-in-taxation hearings during which residents have a chance to comment on the proposal's to hike their property taxes.
During such a meeting on Wednesday, Wellington residents expressed their concerns over such a massive increase being suddenly implemented.
"I'm heartbroken because I thought this would be a forever house," resident Erin Hansen said during the meeting, as reported by Castle Country Radio. "But the reality is these taxes are going to be more than my mortgage. I can't afford to live here."
City authorities say the proposed hike is so high because Wellington has not increased property taxes since 2017. But residents think that officials should not try to make up for lost time in one large hike.
"I'm imploring you guys to make some of those overdue needs overdue some more," resident Bill Barnes said.
According to the Utah Taxpayers Association, the state system is setup up "such that elected officials cannot ignore property taxes. They need to make hard decisions and work hard with their constituents to educate and inform them as to why an increase is needed."
The group applauds the current elected officials for "having the courage to get Wellington back in the black in its finances but caution them to not forget about property taxes in 5-7 years when it will likely be time to make another adjustment."
What Happens Next
While the decision to postpone a potential approval of the hike was something of a victory for local residents, city officials could still decide to green light the 225 percent increase later in the year.
Wellington City Council has until October to make a decision over the hike.
a lotta towns can charge 700 a month
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