Homeowners in the small town of Wellington, Utah, are bracing for what could be one of the steepest property tax hikes in the state. The city council is considering raising taxes by more than 225 percent, a jump that has left residents shocked and worried about how they will afford to stay in their homes.
The proposal, debated during a tense city council meeting last week, was postponed after hours of testimony from residents who pleaded with city officials not to approve the increase. The delay bought locals more time—but only a few months—before the council must make a final decision.
Small cities in Utah are proposing massive property tax hikes, with one city looking at a 225% increase! This is a huge burden on residents. Are local governments spending out of control? #utpol #taxes #Utah
https://t.co/0Td47e3rUw— John D. Johnson (@johnforutah) August 3, 2025
For many in Wellington, the numbers don’t just sting, they overwhelm. On a $256,000 home, the yearly property tax would jump from $216 to $704. For small business owners, the impact is even greater: taxes on a $256,000 business property would rise from $393 to $1,280.
Mayor Jack Clark admitted to residents that the proposal is “a pretty harsh thing to swallow,” but argued that the hike is necessary. He said the added revenue would pay for public safety, road repairs, utilities, and other essential city services. Even with the increase, he explained, the city would still face a $26,000 budget shortfall. Without it, the gap would balloon to $400,000.
“This is about preserving the city we have and preserving the future,” Clark told the packed room.
Standing room only in Wellington City Hall tonight, as officials are set to vote on a proposed 225% increase to property taxes.
We’ll be following this to bring you the latest on @fox13 at 9. pic.twitter.com/qsQG3YvnLH
— Jeremy Tombs (@jeremy_tombs) August 14, 2025
But for many homeowners, the financial math feels impossible. Erin Hansen, a resident who attended the meeting, told local radio she fears her family will be forced to leave. “I’m heartbroken because I thought this would be a forever house,” she said. “But the reality is these taxes are going to be more than my mortgage. I can’t afford to live here.”
Other residents voiced frustration that Wellington officials had not raised taxes gradually over time. The last increase was in 2017. Bill Barnes, another resident, asked the council to delay again, saying, “I’m imploring you guys to make some of those overdue needs overdue some more.”
The Utah Taxpayers Association, an advocacy group that tracks local tax policy, pointed out that Wellington’s proposed hike is the steepest in the state for 2026. While the group acknowledged that the mayor inherited years of delayed decisions from prior leaders, it warned against trying to make up for lost time in a single leap.
Still, Wellington is not alone. Several other small towns in Utah are also considering double-digit tax increases, including Uintah City with a proposed 100 percent hike, Gunnison City at 78 percent, Eureka City at 72 percent, and Howell City at 65 percent.
The push for higher property taxes is part of a wider trend across the country. Rising bills have already squeezed homeowners nationwide, as property taxes climbed nearly 30 percent from 2019 to 2024, according to real estate company Redfin. With housing prices soaring after the pandemic, many families now find their tax bills growing faster than their paychecks.
For now, Wellington residents have won a pause. But the fight is not over. The city council has until October to decide whether to move forward with the 225 percent increase, scale it back, or leave taxes where they are.
The uncertainty has left many families in limbo, wondering if they will be able to afford the same homes they once believed would last them a lifetime.
