Truth in Taxation
Truth in Taxation for Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area
TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING. A truth in taxation public hearing will be held at Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center (Specialty classroom, 7500 South 2700 East, CWH UT 84121) beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2026.
Participate During the Public Hearing
To provide oral testimony through video, audio, or both video and audio connections, or to submit written comments electronically for inclusion in the public record during the public hearing, register for the Zoom Webinar using the link below:
Link coming soon
Watch the Meeting (View Only)
Link coming soon
Truth in Taxation
Know How Your Taxes Support Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area
Property Taxes
Quick Property Tax Facts (As of 2025)
Understanding property taxes can sometimes feel complicated, but these quick facts help explain how property taxes are distributed and how they support services throughout Salt Lake County and Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area.
- Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation receives only a portion of your entire property tax bill. These funds help to maintain the Recreation Center, Guthrie Skate Park, Antczak Park, Bywater Park and Butler Park.
- Property tax revenues make up approximately half of the Service Area’s budget to help support the services Parks and Recreation provide. The other half of the budget is comprised of memberships and user fees.
- The largest share of your property tax revenue typically supports public education through local school districts (56%) and the State Basic School Levy, followed by county services (12%), city services (13%), and libraries.
- Before the Service Area can adopt a property tax increase above the certified tax rate, Utah law requires a public process called Truth in Taxation, which includes public notices, hearings, and opportunities for residents to provide feedback.
We encourage residents to stay informed and participate in the budget process by reviewing the educational resources and budget documents provided on this page.
Learn More
Learn about the 2026-2027 Property Tax Proposal
Interim Budget
Tentative Budget
- Will be available the middle of November
Frequently Asked Questions: Proposed Property Tax Increase
The Service Area was formed in 1967 and our building officially opened in 1971 with the indoor pools and a few racquetball courts. Since that time the Service Area has grown to include a full Recreation Center, 3 outdoor parks and a skate park. We are an aging facility that has a lot of original amenities and mechanical operations. One of those amenities, the outdoor racing pool built in 1980, is for the most part, original and is in need of major repairs. Earlier this year we applied for Recreation Bond funding for the outdoor pool, through Salt Lake County Recreation Bond tax referendum and were denied funding.
This led us to reassess the amount needed to complete the repairs and begin replacing the aging systems. That prompted the amount needed to take care of the outdoor pool repairs and start the process of replacing some very aging mechanical systems to the building. In addition, this increase will include upgrades to a couple of our parks, along with helping to cover increasing utility costs.
The estimated increase for the average home in Cottonwood Heights (valued at $804,000) would be $6.40 per month, or $76.19 annually. This tax increase, if approved, will not take effect until 2027.
No.
The proposed increase represents a 27% increase only to Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area’s portion of the overall property tax bill — not the total tax bill paid by property owners.
A property tax bill is made up of several taxing entities, which may include:
- The City
- The County
- School Districts
- Special Service Districts
- Water and Sewer Districts
- Other local taxing entities
Actual impacts will vary depending on property value and the distribution of taxes among taxing entities.
The County assessment in summer of 2027 will provide property value and estimated impacts to help residents better understand how the proposed increase may affect them personally.
In the last 10 years, property taxes for the Service Area have increased twice-in 2019 and 2023. The Board of Trustees committed back in 2018 to look at the TNT process every 3-5 years or when the rate drops to less than 50% of our authorized rate. The Service Area is currently at 45% of the authorized rate and with the proposed tax increase, it will go to approximately 57% of the authorized rate.
On July 26, 1967, the community, along with the Salt Lake County Board of Commissioners created the Salt Lake County Service Area No. 2. It was created to provide enhanced park and recreational services for the citizens in the community through the collection of property taxes and was defined by a geographical boundary.
In 2000, the Salt Lake County Service Area No. 2 was renamed to the Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area (CHPRSA). In 2005, the City of Cottonwood Heights was incorporated and since then, the Service Area partners and provides Parks and Recreation services for the City while remaining a completely separate government entity. In addition to the Recreation Center, the Service Area is responsible for the scheduling and maintenance of 6 beautiful parks, pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts, and numerous special events during the year.
Just like Cottonwood Heights City is governed by elected officials (Mayor and City Council), the Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area is comprised of 3 elected officials (Board of Trustees) who are residents of the community and are responsible for over-seeing the setting of policies, procedures, rates, taxes and the overall direction of the Service Area.
Residents are encouraged to attend public hearings, participate in Board meetings and contact Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Board of Trustees with questions or concerns regarding the proposed tax increase and the Service Area’s budget.
The official Truth in Taxation Hearing will be held on December 16, at 6:00 PM in the Specialty Classroom of the Recreation Center (7500 S. 2700 E.) where public comments can be made for the record. The classroom is located on the lower level of the Recreation Center, please enter from the South side Ice Arena entrance.
Additionally, there are regular business meetings of the Board of Trustees held generally on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 4:00 pm (please check HERE for meeting changes).
Yes. Several property tax relief programs may be available for qualifying homeowners, including seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, surviving spouses, and households experiencing financial hardship. Eligibility requirements vary by program and may include age, income, residency, disability status, or other qualifying criteria. Applications must generally be renewed annually by the applicable deadline.
You can learn more about all available property tax relief programs on the Salt Lake County Treasurer's website: