What were the results of the 2022 referendum?
Referendum Results
According to Utah Code, in order to get a Property Tax Referendum successfully on a ballot, you must gather a specific percentage of signatures from "active voters" within the affected area.
Utah Code specifically states:
"20A-7-601(2)(h) for a metro township with a population of 10,000 or more but less than 30,000, or a city of the fourth class:
(i) 11.5% of the number of active voters in the metro township or city; and
(ii) beginning on January 1, 2020, 11.5% of the number of active voters in at least 75% of the metro township or city's voter participation areas."
Bluffdale's City Council determined, in a special meeting, the boundaries for the four voter participation areas they created.
These 4 areas indicated Bluffdale had 9,251 individuals listed as "active voters". According to Utah Code, an ["Active voter" means a registered voter who has not been classified as an inactive voter by the county clerk.]
11.5% of 9,251 is 1,063.865. Therefore, we needed to turn in signatures from 1,064 Bluffdale "active voters", we needed to make sure we collected those signature from at least 3 of the 4 voter participation areas, and we had 30 days to do it.
Within the allotted time frame we collected, and turned in, 1,565 signatures from "active voters" from ALL 4 voter participation areas. We went over the minimum requirement by 501 signatures.
The County Clerk and City Recorder determined we did have enough valid "active voter" signatures and the property tax referendum was placed on the ballot.
November 2022 Vote Results
It took a while for November's voting results to be certified.
As of Monday, November 28, 2022, this is the certified result from the County Clerk.
In regards to Bluffdale City's proposed 31% tax increase:
- 4,049 votes AGAINST (68.85%)
- 1,832 votes FOR (31.15%)
5,881 total votes cast on this issue.
For it being a non-presidential election year, Bluffdale had a record turnout of 64.33% of its voters (6,050 ballots received overall out of 9,404 total possible). **You might notice this total is higher than the 9,251 listed on the left side of this page. Bluffdale had 153 individuals register to vote near election day.**
If you would like to see a breakdown of voter turnout by precinct in Bluffdale it is as follows:
BLF001........817 votes out of a possible 1,168.....69.95% turnout
BLF002.........610 votes out of a possible 825.......73.94% turnout
BLF003..............42 votes out of a possible 62......67.74% turnout
BLF004..........414 votes out of a possible 736......56.25% turnout
BLF005...........354 votes out of a possible 512.....69.14% turnout
BLF006...........376 votes out of a possible 628.....59.87% turnout
BLF007..........282 votes out of a possible 436......64.68% turnout
BLF008..........729 votes out of a possible 984......74.09% turnout
BLF009........399 votes out of a possible 571........69.88% turnout
BLF010.........544 votes out of a possible 888.......61.26% turnout
BLF011........638 votes out of a possible 1,086.....58.75% turnout
BLF012..........452 votes out of a possible 756......59.79% turnout
BLF013..........393 votes out of a possible 752......52.26% turnout
Budget thoughts and questions for 2022
*It is our understanding that Capital Projects can be funded from the General Fund (see the info-graphic on Bluffdale's budget page.). There are TWO, million dollar projects listed on the budget for Capital Projects. Why can we not hold off on one, or both, of them this fiscal year?
*According to the budget, an increment of the property tax goes to the RDA (Redevelopment Agency). How much is it? Who determines what that increment is? If it's the city, can we not keep it back and use it elsewhere this year?
*The budget indicates $7,200,000 (7.2 million) is going to Day Ranch Park this year. Why don't we hold off on one or two projects within that park this year?
*We own the rodeo arena, why aren't we using it to our advantage to bring in revenue?
*WHY did every employee receive at least a 9% raise right across the board? Should raises not be merit, production, or longevity based? Or a combination of the three?
*Sales and Use Tax increases are listed on the budget as small amounts. Only 2% increase for 2022-2023? Do we not have more businesses starting up that would increase this?
*Why are we budgeting $17,000,000 (an increase of $4,000,000) for a Public Works Building this year? Can this not wait?
*Why are we paying a Public Works Building down payment of $1,000,000? They indicated in the Truth In Taxation meeting there was not a building in the process.
*Why were funds used to purchase 2 properties along 13800 South for a Public Works Building that is NOT going to be built there? They now sit vacant but the city must maintain the area. "We bought those homes as a potential site for our much-needed public works building and facility. However, we are evaluating another site more central in town, so I am not sure if we will complete that or any other city project there." (G. Crowell - January 14, 2022)
*Why are we budgeting $152,000 for "Professional & Technical" for Day Ranch Park? In 2021-2022 the budgeted amount for this same line item was $2,000.
*Under Capital Projects, why are we budgeting $1,000,000 to resurface a section of 14400 South? Is this a current "necessity"?
*In 2021-2022 there was $863,000 budgeted for Fire Equipment. For 2022-2023 it is only $106,000. Where did the other $757,000 go that was previously used?
Almost 20% goes to top 5 city employees??
The numbers above were supplied from the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget.
After removing what's budgeted for Fire and Police, almost 20% of what's left goes to the top 5 city employees.
This seems quite top heavy.
The argument of this "being in line with surrounding cities" doesn't hold merit as the surrounding cities do NOT compare to Bluffdale.
Bluffdale's size and population are much smaller than the surrounding cities.
Let's compare apples to apples.
Why did we start a property tax referendum in Bluffdale?
**10-25-22 UPDATE** We have turned in the required amount of signatures for the referendum and are awaiting their validation. Hopefully people will not be bullied into having their names removed. Everyone deserves the opportunity to vote on this important matter.***
Ultimately, it's because we feel every citizen in Bluffdale should have an individual vote on whether their Bluffdale property taxes are raised 31% or not.
When we elect individuals to positions of authority, that does not give them carte blanche to do as they please. There still needs to be a system of checks and balances. That is where referenda come into play.
Utah Code is specifically written to allow property tax referenda in instances where the city or town has increased the certified tax rate - which is what happened August 16, 2022 at the Truth-In-Taxation public hearing. Before a certified tax rate is raised, the citizens have no recourse if they have council members that will not listen to them and their concerns in regards to property taxes. Therefore, we could do nothing formally until after the certified tax rate was raised by the city council.
Typically, in years where your valuation has gone up, your property tax rate is set to go down. When your valuation goes down, your property tax rate goes up. What this is set up to accomplish is that the taxing entity receives relatively the same amount of incoming property tax each year, although it's often slightly higher, regardless of what the valuation is. You can see this evidenced in the city's FY2023 budget on the "current year property tax - SL" line. This line indicates they were budgeting for a $154,200 INCREASE in property taxes coming in compared to the previous year. An increase was coming in before they decided to raise the certified tax rate.
Now, the increase they're hoping to get from raising the certified tax rate is being touted as "only $136" a year or "only $11 per month" for the "average household". Herein lies the big question - exactly who has an "average household"? In surveying the property tax records of 22% of the parcels from all over Bluffdale, it was not too difficult to discover that very few within our city are "average". Some fall below "average". Some rise far above it. Stating there is even an "average" is not accurate or up-front. The properties in Bluffdale are far too diverse for there to be an accurate average. For example, here are several parcel numbers and their respective property tax information for 2022 with this proposed tax hike:
33-03-301-028-0000 Tax increase of $76.11 Equates to $6.34/month Percent increase = 31%
33-03-301-050-0000 Tax increase of $179.50 Equates to $14.96/month Percent increase = 31%
33-03-301-078-0000 Tax increase of $401.34 Equates to $33.45/month Percent increase = 31%
33-03-326-011-0000 Tax increase of $28.57 Equates to $2.38/month Percent increase = 31%
33-03-326-037-0000 Tax increase of $260.87 Equates to $21.74/month Percent increase = 31%
33-04-301-012-0000 Tax increase of $690.78 Equates to $57.57/month Percent increase = 31%
33-04-326-021-0000 Tax increase of $486.11 Equates to $40.51/month Percent increase = 31%
33-05-400-011-0000 Tax increase of $720.83 Equates to $60.07/month Percent increase = 31%
33-06-427-010-0000 Tax increase of $348.73 Equates to $29.06/month Percent increase = 31%
33-03-326-089-0000 Tax increase of $725.53 Equates to $60.46/month Percent increase = 31%
33-08-101-006-0000 Tax increase of $478.03 Equates to $39.84/month Percent increase = 31%
33-08-252-002-0000 Tax increase of $557.44 Equates to $46.45/month Percent increase = 31%
33-08-477-020-0000 Tax increase of $341.68 Equates to $28.47/month Percent increase = 31%
33-09-101-016-0000 Tax increase of $397.94 Equates to $33.16/month Percent increase = 31%
33-10-278-001-0000 Tax increase of $261.41 Equates to $21.78/month Percent increase = 31%
33-04-078-010-0000 Tax increase of $353.49 Equates to $29.46/month Percent increase - 31%
33-08-276-059-0000 Tax increase of $363.75 Equates to $30.31/month Percent increase = 31%
33-09-151-036-0000 Tax increase of $238.46 Equates to $19.87/month Percent increase = 31%
33-15-101-005-0000 Tax increase of $97.25 Equates to $8.10/month Percent increase = 31%
33-15-126-007-0000 Tax increase of $245.77 Equates to $20.48/month Percent increase = 31%
33-10-351-015-0000 Tax increase of $425.91 Equates to $35.49/month Percent increase = 31%
33-10-377-003-0000 Tax increase of $120.36 Equates to $10.03/month Percent increase = 31%
33-10-425-007-0000 Tax increase of $290.86 Equates to $24.24/month Percent increase = 31%
33-09-226-007-0000 Tax increase of $80.04 Equates to $6.67/month Percent increase = 31%
33-15-201-012-0000 Tax increase of $504.75 Equates to $42.06/month Percent increase = 31%
33-15-301-004-0000 Tax increase of $95.01 Equates to $7.92/month Percent increase = 31%
33-16-126-008-0000 Tax increase of $286.62 Equates to $23.89/month Percent increase = 31%
33-16-103-004-0000 Tax increase of $303.25 Equates to $25.27/month Percent increase = 31%
33-22-476-001-0000 Tax increase of $655.96 Equates to $54.66/month Percent increase = 31%
The only average that would be accurate to state is that people's property taxes are set to raise 31% in Bluffdale. 31% was indeed the only commonality among the 22% of parcels surveyed. This percentage is also stated on your "Notice of Property Valuation" you should have received from the Salt Lake County Auditor.
Raising taxes is always a tricky situation but raising them by 31%, especially during historically high inflationary times, is downright criminal. Everyone is having to tighten their belts and readjust their budgets in our current economy. Should the city not also have to do this? Do we not want a city that exercises frugality and budget tightening strategies? Do we not want a city that is wise stewards over the money they are collecting from us? Or do we want them to continue taxing and taxing and taxing us until there is nothing left?
Some are raising the cry of "but we need this for Fire and Safety", "If we don't have this tax increase Fire and Safety won't get paid", "If we don't have this tax increase Fire and Safety won't get raises". It is interesting to note that at the Truth-In-Taxation meeting August 16, 2022 we had city officials that stated this "was for Fire and Safety" but then also stated "Fire has already had their increase". So, which is it?
If you look at the FY2023 budget you will notice that Fire and Police have indeed had their increases. The fire department's budgeted salaries, wages, PT and benefits have increased by over 23.57% with the current budget. Law enforcement's budgeted salaries, wages and PT has increased 15.54%.
Fire department - Salaries, wages, PT, benefits for 2021-2022 = $1,616,000
Fire department - Salaries, wages, PT, benefits for 2022-2023 = $1,997,000
Law enforcement - Salaries, wages, PT for 2021-2022 = $2,020,000
Law enforcement - Salaries, wages, PT for 2022-2023 = $2,334,000
Knowing that fire and police have had their increase, you should ask yourself, so where exactly would this tax increase go? Keep in mind, fire and police have had their increase. Do you honestly foresee our city council taking their increases away?
Also keep in mind, unlike Herriman, Bluffdale does NOT have a law indicating 100% of property taxes goes to fire and police. In Bluffdale, property taxes received go in to the General Fund - where it can be used for anything. As was also mentioned at the Truth-In-Taxation meeting, "the last time we didn't get a property tax increase we lost a few good city employees". Interesting.
Bottom line - all of us are tightening our belts and readjusting our budgets. Should the city not do the same? We must all be living and spending within our means. It is nonsensical and unwise stewardship to do otherwise.
With all that said, ultimately, hundreds of us feel the citizens of Bluffdale should decide if they want their taxes raised by 31% in Bluffdale. Just remember, this tax increase does NOT 100% go to fire and police. Plus, anytime a city or council attempts to use fire and police as a scapegoat, we should all pay attention.
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