As of October 2026, Eagle Mountain's city property tax rate is set at 0.000900 for fiscal year 2026-27, up from 0.000530. That's a 69.81% increase in the city's rate, and it adds about $99 a year, or roughly $8 a month, to the bill for a median Eagle Mountain home valued at $488,000. The city originally proposed a 220.88% increase, approved 183% on August 6, then repealed it and adopted the smaller rate on August 18 after residents filed a referendum. A second referendum effort targeting the smaller increase has since been found legally referable to voters, and petitioners are collecting signatures.
I've had so many people ask me about this over the last two months, at showings, in my DMs, even in the grocery store line. And honestly, I get it. When you see "220% tax increase" in a headline, your stomach drops. So I want to walk through what actually happened, what it really means for your bill, and what's still up in the air.
How We Got Here
Eagle Mountain hadn't raised its property tax rate since 2010. In early August, the city proposed a 220.88% increase that would have brought in $9,798,139 in total property tax revenue, enough to cover a new Utah County Sheriff's Office contract dollar for dollar.
At the August 6 Truth in Taxation hearing, after a long public comment period with a lot of residents speaking against it, the council unanimously approved a smaller 183% increase. That would have added about $255 a year for a median household and raised about $5.5 million.
A week later, a group of residents filed a referendum to repeal it. The mayor and council then reached out about a compromise. On August 18, the council voted 4-1 to repeal the 183% increase and adopt the current, lower rate. The one council member who voted no was worried the lower rate wouldn't leave enough money for road replacement and park improvements.
What the Final Increase Pays For
The approved increase is expected to bring in $2,132,876 in additional revenue for the sheriff's contract, which adds more deputies. The mayor has pointed out that our population has doubled since the last increase and that calls for service went up 18.6% in a single year. If you've watched how fast this city has grown, that number probably doesn't surprise you.
To make the lower rate work, the council cut some items from its $363,992,973 budget for 2026-27, including $1 million for the rodeo grounds and $2.5 million for land acquisition.
Why "69.8%" Doesn't Mean Your Bill Goes Up 69.8%
This is the part I most want people to understand, because the headlines skipped right over it. That percentage only applies to the city's portion of your property tax bill, not the whole thing.
Your Utah County property tax bill includes several taxing entities: the school district, the county, the city, and others. Eagle Mountain's city rate was a small slice of the total, so even a large percentage increase on that slice adds a relatively small dollar amount. That's why a 69.8% increase in the city rate comes out to about $99 a year on a $488,000 home.
That's still real money, especially on top of rising costs everywhere else. But if you saw "220%" in July and assumed your whole bill would triple, it was never going to work that way.
Where the Referendum Stands
After the council adopted the lower rate, residents applied for a second referendum, this time against the new resolution, R-62-2026. The city attorney found it legally referable to voters. The petitioners now need to gather signatures from roughly 10% of active voters. If they do, the question could go to Eagle Mountain voters, possibly next year.
The city's fiscal impact statement lays out what a repeal would mean. The city wouldn't collect the extra $2.13 million in property tax. Bills would stay at about the 2025 dollar amount, not drop below it. And the sheriff's contract would still need to be paid out of sales tax, which the city says would create a deficit covered by service cuts, reserves, or both.
Some residents have also raised concerns about tax incentive agreements for large data center projects in the city, like Meta's Eagle Mountain campus, which reduced those projects' property taxes. It's a separate issue from the sheriff's contract, but it's a big part of why people are frustrated.
The city has posted the petition and signature-removal information on its website. We'll update this post as the referendum moves forward.
What It Means If You Own a Home in Eagle Mountain
For most homeowners, the real impact is about $8 a month. If your property taxes are paid through your mortgage escrow, your lender will pick up the change at your next escrow analysis, so your monthly payment may adjust slightly next year.
Watch your November tax notice. The city's impact statement describes the increase as starting with the November 2026 bills. If the referendum qualifies, the timing of the vote and what happens to bills in the meantime are details to confirm directly with the city or the Utah County Treasurer.
Eagle Mountain is also moving into the new Lake Mountain School District on July 1, 2027, and the school district is usually a much bigger part of your tax bill than the city. Our Alpine School District split breakdown covers what's known so far.
What It Means If You're Buying or Selling
If you're thinking about buying here, $99 a year shouldn't change whether a home works for your budget. It's a small piece of your overall payment. Eagle Mountain's August 2026 median sold price was $499,990, with homes selling at 100.0% of list and taking a median of 47 days. You can see how that compares with every other city in our August 2026 Utah County market report.
If you're selling, property taxes are prorated at closing in Utah, so the increase gets split between you and your buyer based on the closing date. It's not something you'll need to negotiate around.
A Note From Me
I live in Eagle Mountain, and I'm passionate about this city. I've watched it grow and I love the people who make it home. Whether you have questions about your tax bill, want to know what your home is worth right now, or are thinking about moving here, I'd genuinely love to help. Reach out to me anytime. No question is too small.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Eagle Mountain raise property taxes in 2026?
Yes. On August 18, 2026, the city council adopted a city property tax rate of 0.000900, up from 0.000530, a 69.81% increase in the city's rate. It was the city's first property tax increase since 2010.How much will Eagle Mountain property taxes go up?
About $99 a year, or roughly $8 a month, for a median Eagle Mountain home valued at $488,000. The percentage increase applies only to the city's portion of the bill, not to the total property tax bill.What happened to the 220% and 183% increases?
The city proposed 220.88%, then approved 183% on August 6, 2026. After residents filed a referendum, the council repealed the 183% increase and adopted the smaller 69.81% increase on August 18.What is the Eagle Mountain tax increase paying for?
The additional $2.13 million in revenue goes toward the city's contract with the Utah County Sheriff's Office, which adds more deputies. The city says its population has doubled since its last tax increase.Is there a referendum on the Eagle Mountain property tax increase?
Yes. Residents applied for a referendum against the current rate, resolution R-62-2026, and the city attorney found it legally referable to voters. Petitioners need signatures from about 10% of active voters for it to reach the ballot.What happens if the referendum passes?
According to the city, it wouldn't collect the extra $2.13 million in property tax, and bills would stay at about the 2025 level. The sheriff's contract would still need to be funded from sales tax, which the city says would mean cutting services, using reserves, or both.Will the Eagle Mountain tax increase affect home prices?
Unlikely in any noticeable way. At about $99 a year on a median home, it's a small part of a buyer's total monthly payment. Eagle Mountain's median sold price in August 2026 was $499,990, essentially flat from a year earlier.
This article is for general informational purposes only and reflects publicly available information at the time of writing. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Market data, development proposals, and city decisions can change, so confirm current information with relevant sources and consult qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.
