This November, Utahns didn’t just cast votes for president — they also weighed in on several important ballot propositions. If you’ve ever wondered what these propositions mean, how they performed statewide, and what they might mean for you, here’s a quick guide. Spoiler alert: many of these decisions could mean tax hikes.
What are ballot propositions?
Generally speaking, ballot propositions feature registered voters acting as one of two roles:
- Lawmaker: Voting directly to add or repeal laws in their state, county, or city/town. These are known as the initiatives (creating new laws) or referendums (repealing existing laws) — both of which are triggered by a citizen-led signature gathering process or an act of the local government.
- CFO: Voting directly on additional proposed spending — usually in the form of a sales tax increase or bond approval — for their city, county, or school board.
For this article, we’ll focus on the bond approval questions that appeared on Utah’s ballots.
To Bond or Not to Bond
Bond approvals can seem complex, but they boil down to a straightforward question: Should a local government (city, county, or school district) take out a loan to fund a large project? If voters approve the bond, property taxes typically increase to repay the loan.
The act of bonding is not necessarily an indication of fiscal irresponsibility, as bonds provide a way for local governments to finance major projects without dramatically increasing taxes all at once. In fact, the bond approval process we have in Utah can provide a check on government spending, as local governments need to make their case to voters in order to justify such expenditures.
2024 Bond Results in Utah
Of the bonds on ballots across the state, five passed and three failed.
Passed:
- Murray City school district bond of $125 million passed 62.59% to 37.41%.
- Cottonwood Heights bond of $30 million for a new town center passed 52.42% to 47.58%
- Salt Lake City school district bond of $730 million passed 61.06% to 38.94%
- Midway open space bond of $5 million passed 73.74% to 26.26%
- Piute County school district bond of $6 million passed by just three votes, 50.16% to 49.84%
Failed:
- Salt Lake County public safety bond of $507 million (for a new jail) failed 51.62% 48.38%.
- Box Elder school district bond of $220 million failed 67.78% to 32.22%.
- Iron County school district bond of $66 million failed 55.73% to 44.27%
What Do These Results Tell Us?
The outcomes are somewhat mixed, making it difficult to draw broad conclusions about voter sentiment. However, one notable trend is the continued resistance to funding new jails — a pattern also seen in previous elections.
For voters who care about taxes and the scope of government’s role, these elections underscore the importance of participation. Decisions on bonding often fly under the radar but can significantly impact your wallet and community.
If you want a say in how your tax dollars are spent, learning about these bonds — and turning out to vote on them — is essential.
