The Budget Development Office constructs and monitors the district’s annual budget under the direction of the Superintendent and the Board of Education.
Annual Budget
Granite School District Budget – 2025-26 (PDF)
Property Taxes
Property taxes are levied to provide for the operating, capital, and debt service needs of the District and are crucial in helping to provide quality educational opportunities to students.
All District property tax revenues are budgeted and accounted for – see the link to the annual District budget for 2025-26 above. The proposed District budget is a responsible, balanced financial plan designed to provide students with a high quality education within the limits of the available resources. The accounts and the business practices of the district are subject to audits on an on-going basis. The district has established sound financial policies and practices to ensure that taxpayer funds are expended appropriately and in compliance with all laws and regulations.
Why is Granite School District Raising Taxes?
The estimated property tax rate budgeted for fiscal year 2025-26 exceeds the projected certified tax rate and will require a Truth in Taxation Hearing to be held in August.
The increased property tax revenues of $14.57 million in the General Fund (board local levy) will help offset reduced state funding in certain programs and mandated spending required in recent legislation and reduced property tax revenues. In addition, these revenues will fund K-2 class size reduction, instructional coaches in schools, elementary teacher prep time, and employee compensation adjustments.
The increased property tax revenues of $3.23 million in the Capital Outlay Fund (capital local levy) are in line with the continued rollout of the long-term District capital improvement plan and will facilitate future capital projects to rebuild or renovate aging school buildings and also provide ongoing maintenance to existing school buildings.
The budget has been prepared making every effort to ensure the lowest property tax rates that will allow the District to meet operational and capital needs in 2025-26.
The District will hold a public hearing on the proposed tax increase on August 5th at the Granite Education Center located at 2500 S State Street in Salt Lake City.
Property Tax Rates
The following chart shows the tax levies set by the District each year along with estimated rates for the 2025-26 year. Some rates below are still estimates and will be updated when final proposed rates are available.
Tax Levy | Authorization | Use of Funds | 2025-26 Estimated Rate | Max by Law |
State Basic | 53F-2-301 | Maintenance & Operations | 0.001341 | Set by Legislature |
Voted Local | 53F-2-601 | Maintenance & Operations | 0.000707 | 0.001600 |
Board Local | 53F-2-602 | Maintenance & Operations | 0.001794 | 0.002500 |
Capital Outlay | 53F-8-401 | Capital Outlay | 0.001546 | 0.003000 |
Debt Service | 51-5-4 | Debt Service | 0.000634 | Sufficient |
The rate for the State Basic School Levy is set each year by the State Legislature in the legislative session held between January and March. Granite School District has no control over this property tax rate and must levy the tax in order to receive Minimum Basic School Program funding from the State each year. All revenues received from the Basic School Levy result in less state funding to the District, as a the State contribution to the Basic School Program is reduced by funds received through this property tax.
The 2025 property tax bill for a home valued at $565,200 (the average home value in the District) is estimated at:
- State Basic School Levy: $417
- Granite School District (all other levies): $1,455
Maintenance & Operations
The property taxes levied for District maintenance and operations are used to pay for salaries and benefits of District employees, including teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, custodians, and others who provide instructional and other support services in schools.
Capital Outlay & Debt Service
Revenues from the Capital Local Levy are tracked in the Capital Outlay Fund of the District, where they are used for acquiring and improving sites, constructing and remodeling facilities, and procuring equipment necessary for providing educational programs for all students within the District.
Revenues from the Debt Service Levy are used solely for the payment of general obligation bond principal and interest. The funds collected and payments made are tracked separately from all other District funds in the Debt Service Fund.
Employee Resources
- Accounting/Finance Knowledgebase – Budgeting Page
- Contains links to:
- Benefits Calculator
- Budget Transfer/Journal Entry request forms
- Planned Spending program
- Login using your normal District issued Active Directory login (the username/password used to login to your computer)
- Contains links to: