The Moab City Council in May 2021 decided to consider increasing the City's property tax rate as a way to establish a more diverse revenue stream and reduce the City's dependence on sales tax revenue that relies solely on the expansion of the tourism economy.
The City of Moab has had a property tax in place for many decades. However, since 1992, the City has set the property tax at a rate of 0% (zero), meaning that Moab property owners have not paid property tax to the City for almost 30 years.
Moab is one of only four cities in Utah that does not levy a general property tax to pay for city services. The other 3 cities all have levied a special property tax to pay for Law Enforcement.
Currently, sales and use taxes are the primary sources for City general fund revenues. Annual revenues from sales and use taxes vary from year to year, while property taxes provide a reliable annual revenue source that can help stabilize the City's ability to fund critical services, including law enforcement, and basic infrastructure needs such as water, sewer, and roads.
To increase property tax revenue cities are required to go through the Truth in Taxation Process. The City Council has determined that total property tax revenue -- if the tax rate is increased -- will not exceed $3.3 million.
The City of Moab will hold a Truth in Taxation public hearing on August 4, 2021, at 6 p.m. in the Moab City Council Chambers, 217 E Center Street. Council members will take input from City residents during this hearing.
Af a separate Council meeting, the Council will decide whether to increase the property tax rate, and how much that rate will be. The Council could decide to leave the rate at 0% (zero property tax revenue) or to increase the rate to a level between 0% and up to $3.3 million. If Moab City adopted a tax revenue at $3.3 million, the City portion would increase the total property tax bill sent out by Grand County each year by approximately 20 percent. The amount of property tax collected cannot exceed $3.3 million in revenue.
Visit moabcity.org/Property-Taxes for more information. Questions? Email your questions to propertytax@moabcity.org.
