Welcome to Harrisville City’s Property Tax Information / Truth In Taxation page. The goal of this page is to provide information on property taxes and the truth in taxation process. If you have any questions about the process, please contact the city offices at 801-782-4100 or email questions@harrisvillecity.gov.
Truth in Taxation
The purpose of Utah’s Truth in Taxation process is to ensure transparency and accountability when local governments propose property tax increases. Established under Utah law, it requires taxing entities to notify property owners of any proposed revenue increase beyond the prior year’s property tax collections and to hold a public hearing before adopting the higher rate. This process shifts the focus from tax rates to the actual amount of revenue being collected, helping residents clearly understand the financial impact on their property tax bills. By mandating clear notice and an opportunity for public input, the law is designed to prevent unnoticed tax increases and encourage informed community participation in local budgeting decisions.
Meetings Schedule for Truth In Taxation
Harrisville City Council will be holding the following meetings to discuss property taxes and truth in taxation. Residents are welcome to attend in person or electronically in the Zoom webinar link provided with each meeting agenda. Those wishing to provide written comments in advance of the meeting can email them to questions@harrisvillecity.gov. All comments submitted before the meeting will be included as part of the public record.
All budget meetings will be held in the Harrisville City Council Chambers located at approximately 363 W Independence Blvd. Meeting information including public hearing notices, agendas, budget documentation, and any other documents required for each meeting can be found below.
To Participate Electronically, follow the steps below.
*Zoom Meeting Link and meeting ID / passcode will only work for date and time indicated above.
Meeting Documentation
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Tentative Budget: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Interim Budget Adoption: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Final Budget Adoption: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Property Tax Resources
The following information has been taken directly from the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) website. ULCT informational YouTube videos can be found on each of these topics by clicking here.
What are Property Taxes?
“Property tax is an annual payment paid by property owners to authorized taxing entities, including cities, towns, counties, schools and other groups. At the simplest level, homeowners and businesses pay property taxes based on the value of their land and any permanent structures on their land, like buildings. Some property types are exempt from paying property taxes, including public schools, houses of worship, government buildings, and non-profit organizations.
“While a city or town will likely be included on your property tax bill, most property tax dollars are collected to fund education. In fact, only 13% of property tax dollars go to a city or town on average. In return for paying municipal property taxes, you receive essential services and infrastructure that we all rely on every single day, such as:
“Emergency Responders are there when you need them, parks remain open, clean water comes out of your tap, and streets get repaired thanks to the smart investment of property tax dollars.
“The public services we benefit from today were built and maintained by both previous and current generations’ property taxes. Building a vibrant community doesn’t happen overnight, it takes all of us working together.”
What Do I Get for Paying Property Taxes?
“In Utah, cities and towns are responsible for providing essential services such as police and fire, maintaining roads and water systems, and promoting quality of life through parks, recreation, and open spaces.
“Homeowners and businesses invest in their community by paying property taxes. Because municipal services are ongoing, you will still need to pay property taxes every year– even if you’ve paid off your mortgage.
“One homeowner can’t personally maintain all of the roads they use or fund an entire fleet of fire trucks. Your community collectively funds these municipal services.
“While property tax is an important source of revenue, it typically only makes up about 20% of a municipal budget. Just like homeowners and businesses, cities and towns have to live within their means; they can’t spend more money than they take in.
“If a city or town does not have enough money to pay for services, local officials may need to reduce or reprioritize services, or increase their portion of property taxes.
“But much like a leaky roof or an old furnace, certain services can’t be ignored without causing bigger problems later, so local officials must strike a careful balance.
“State law requires public budget processes. You can get involved as your municipality considers what investments to make to maintain critical infrastructure and quality of life for the residents of today and tomorrow. Just as the property owners before you paid property taxes and gave input to support the critical municipality, your property tax dollars and voice make a similar investment.”
How is My Property Value Determined?
“Property values are key to determining how much property tax an owner pays. County assessors determine the market value of each property. The market value assessment is intended to be close to what your house could sell for. The market value is also the base amount that a tax rate is applied to.
“Properties are taxed at 100% of market value unless they qualify for a residential exemption. Only 55% of the assessed market value of a primary residence is taxed, regardless of whether the owner or a renter lives there.
“Property values change due to market shifts, property improvements, or the county’s reassessment of the property. Counties provide property owners with an opportunity to appeal their taxable value.
“Increased property values do not result in your local government collecting more money. However, different increases in property values can result in tax shifts between property owners.
“For example, if your home’s value increases $10,000 and your neighbor’s stays the same, you may pay more in property tax than you did last year while they may pay less.
“Local governments set their budgets independently of property values, meaning rising values alone don’t increase government revenue, but changing values can shift the tax burden among property owners.”