Frequently Asked Questions

In government, we use fund accounting (not to be confused with fun accounting). Different revenue sources can only be used to pay for specific expenses. These differing revenues and expenses are tracked in separate funds (accounting books).

The different budget funds are shown in the following graphic (click to enlarge): 

Updated June 2025

Property tax is calculated to be revenue neutral, generally meaning that when property values increase, the property tax rates decrease. Or, when property values decrease, the property tax rate increases. So, even if your property value increases, that doesn’t mean the city will get more revenue. This is why the Certified Tax Rate (CTR) changes each year. 

Also, only a small percentage of the overall property tax comes to Bluffdale City. Other entities like Jordan School District and Salt Lake County, also levy taxes on your property. They can choose to change their CTR to increase the amount of revenue they receive. They also have Truth in Taxation notification process, just like the City does. 

The amount of increase the City is proposing will increase the property tax revenue overall around $570,000. 

You can watch the video The Utah Association of Counties created  that explains how property tax is calculated in Utah.

 We cannot transfer money from the Fire and Police Protection Fund back to the General Fund. We are transferring money from the General Fund to the Fire and Police Protection Fund. The Fire and Police Protection Fund was created to give more transparency to how property taxes are being used. 

Our residents asked for a  transparent way to track the costs of our Fire and Police Services.  They want to be able to verify that a proposed property tax increase would be used to pay for improvements in our Fire and Police Services. The accounting in the Fire and Police Protection Fund clearly and transparently shows the sources of the revenue and where the money is being spent. No money can be transferred out of this fund to pay for any other City needs. 

The City Council adopted an amended Consolidated Fee Schedule and made it effective September 1, 2024. The amended Fee Schedule includes a new Public Safety fee that can only be used to pay for public safety costs. The amount of the fee is based on the type of property you own and is calculated to cover the increased cost of public safety services this year. The bulk of the public safety costs are still paid by other revenue sources.

For more information on the Bluffdale Consolidated Fee Schedule, see the October 2024 Bluffdale Times newsletter. 

• Contact the City Council members via email. 
• Contact Mayor Hall via email.
• See the Mayor's Messages on budgeting in the Newsletter
  • July 2022: Overview of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget
  • November 2022: City Department Responsibilities
  • January 2023: City Budget FAQs
  • June 2023: 100% of Property Taxes for Public Safety
• Talk to the Finance Department

Salt Lake County offers a tax relief program for those who qualify. You must apply by September 1. They also have other assistance programs, like rental relief, available. Learn more about the programs and see if you qualify at slco.to/TaxRelief or slco.to/AssistancePrograms.