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Recreation General Obligation Bond

Election — November 3, 2026

On November 3, 2026, Salt Lake County voters will decide on a $128 million Recreation General Obligation Bond to repair, complete, and build regional parks, trails, open spaces, and recreation facilities.

Because older County bond debt is expiring, this bond keeps the tax rate flat, resulting in a $0 net property tax rate increase.

By-the-Numbers

  • $128M Maximum Total Bond Loan
    • $35.8M Repair Projects
    • $21.1M Complete Projects
    • $62.3M Build Projects
    • $8.8M Project Contingency
  • $0 Net Property Tax Rate Increase
  • $16.39 Estimated Annual Cost for an Average Home ($658K value)
  • $1.37 Estimated Monthly Cost for an Average Home
  • $29.80 Estimated Annual Cost for a Business ($658K value)
  • $2.48 Estimated Monthly Cost for a Business
  • 30 Projects Across 25 Locations
  • 2 New Recreation Centers
  • 29 Miles of New Trails
  • 1,000+ New Trees
  • 8 Pools Improved or Expanded

Resources

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Polling Hours: 7 am–8 pm

385-468-7400
Voters may call to obtain information regarding polling locations and voter registration.

The Salt Lake County Election Officer will post the location of each vote center, including any changes to or addition of a vote center location.

What You’ll See on the Ballot

Shall Salt Lake County, Utah, be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $128,000,000 and to mature in no more than eleven (11) years from the date or dates of issuance of such bonds for the purpose of providing funds for repairing, completing, acquiring, constructing or renovating open space, natural habitat, parks, community trails and recreational facilities and other related facilities under the charge of the County and, to the extent necessary, for providing moneys for the refunding, at or prior to the maturity thereof, of general obligation bonds of the County authorized hereunder or heretofore issued and now outstanding?

Property Tax Cost of Bonds

A general obligation bond is a debt owed by the County. The County uses tax revenue to pay for the debt. If the bonds are issued as planned (which currently consists of 2 smaller issues of bonds totaling approximately $128,000,000 over the next 5 years, with each issue of bonds maturing approximately 10 years from the date it is issued), without regard to the taxes currently levied to pay outstanding bonds that will decrease over time, an annual property tax to pay debt service on the proposed bonds will be required over a period of 10 years in the estimated amount of $16.39 per year on a primary residence with the County average value of $658,000 and in the estimated amount of $29.80 per year on a business or secondary residence having the same value, which are equal to a monthly increase of $1.37 for an average residential property and $2.48 on a business property having the same value.

The County currently levies property taxes to pay debt service on other outstanding general obligation bonds that have been issued to finance voter approved projects. The incremental property taxes would decrease upon the repayment of the currently outstanding bonds, but the decrease may not occur if the proposed bonds are issued. Taking into account the repayment of the outstanding bonds, the County expects that the issuance of the proposed bonds, in the manner currently expected, will result in a net property tax increase of $0 per year on a primary residence with the County average value of $658,000 and a net property tax increase of $0 per year on a business or secondary residence having the same value, which are equal to a monthly increase of $0 for an average residential property and $0 on a business property having the same value.

The foregoing is only an estimate and is not a limit on the amount of taxes that the governing body may be required to levy in order to pay debt service on the bonds. The governing body is obligated to levy taxes to the extent provided by law in order to pay the bonds.

In addition to the bond payment costs as outlined above, based on current best estimates, the average annual combined net operational and maintenance costs for these facilities during their first ten years of operation is projected to require additional annual expenditures of $4,710,200. If approved, the county will determine during its next budget cycle whether additional operational and maintenance costs may or may not require any additional funds from budget cuts or a tax increase.

To vote in favor of the above bond issue, select the box immediately adjacent to the words "FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS."

To vote against the bond issue, select the box immediately adjacent to the words "AGAINST THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS."

☐ FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS
☐ AGAINST THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS

What the Ballot Language Says What It Means
"Shall Salt Lake County, Utah, be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $128,000,000..." The County can borrow up to $128 million to fund major park and recreation projects.
"...and to mature in no more than eleven (11) years from the date or dates of issuance..." The County must completely pay off the loan within 11 years.
"...for the purpose of providing funds for repairing, completing, acquiring, constructing or renovating open space, natural habitat, parks, community trails and recreational facilities..." Money can only go toward parks, trails, open spaces, and recreation facility projects.
"An annual property tax... estimated amount of $16.39 per year on a primary residence ($658,000 value)... result in a net property tax increase of $0 per year..." $0 net tax rate increase because older bonds are expiring. The rate stays flat at $16.39 a year ($1.37 a month) for an average home.
“...the average annual combined net operational and maintenance costs for these facilities during their first ten years of operation is projected to require additional annual expenditures of $4,710,200...” Running and caring for these completed projects will cost about $4.71 million each year ($47.1 million over 10 years). These daily costs are paid through the County budget and existing sales taxes (like ZAP and hotel/dining taxes), not from bond money.

Frequently Asked Questions

A bond is a long-term loan used by local governments. It helps pay for big projects that cost too much for regular yearly budgets. This proposal lets Salt Lake County borrow up to $128 million to fix, complete, and build parks, trails, and recreation centers across the county.

No. This bond leads to a $0 net tax rate increase. Because older county loans are paid off, this new bond takes their place without increasing your current property tax rate.

  • Average Home ($658,000 value): About $16.39 a year (around $1.37 a month).
  • Business or Second Home ($658,000 value): About $29.80 a year (around $2.48 a month).

The money is split into three categories, plus extra backup funds:

  • Repair ($35.8M): Fixes buildings, pools, splash pads, playgrounds, roofs, and adds systems that save water and power.
  • Complete ($21.1M): Adds restrooms, shade pavilions, trailheads, sports courts, and trees to finish parks that are already started.
  • Build ($62.3M): Builds new places to play, including two new recreation centers (in West Jordan and Midvale), an athletic field complex in Herriman, and an all-abilities playground in Salt Lake City.
  • Backup Funds ($8.8M): Kept in reserve in case building costs go up. The county only borrows this money if needed. 

Running and maintaining these facilities will cost about $4.71 million each year over the first 10 years. By law, bond money can only be used to build and fix things, not to pay for daily workers, utility bills, etc. The county will pay for everyday upkeep through its normal budget and existing sales and tourism taxes.

Salt Lake County builds large regional parks and centers for everyone to use, no matter where they live. Every city was asked to send in project ideas. A community board reviewed them to make sure projects were spread out fairly across the entire county.

ZAP Tax: A sales tax that pays for part of Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation operations. 

Bond: A voter-approved loan paid through property taxes that can only be used for major construction and repairs.

Check your voter registration or find your polling place at vote.utah.gov or through the Salt Lake County Clerk Elections Division.