Salt Lake County Special Bond Election — Open Space, Parks, Trails and Recreation General Obligation Bonds ($128,000,000)

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does
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?
A YES vote means
Salt Lake County could borrow up to $128,000,000 by issuing general obligation bonds, maturing in no more than 11 years, to repair, buy, build or renovate open space, natural habitat, parks, trails and recreation facilities.
A NO vote means
Salt Lake County would not issue these $128,000,000 in bonds.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Salt Lake County already levies a property tax to pay off general obligation bonds voters approved earlier for County projects. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, these include parks and recreation bonds authorized in 2016 that are nearing payoff.
  • The County says the taxes for those existing bonds would decrease as they are repaid if no new bonds were issued.

If it passes

  • The County could issue up to $128 million in general obligation bonds, each maturing within 11 years, to repair, complete, acquire, build or renovate open space, natural habitat, parks, community trails and recreation facilities. Bonds could also refund existing County general obligation bonds.
  • The County plans two smaller bond issues over about five years, each maturing in about 10 years.
  • According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the money would fund 30 projects: about $62.3 million for new projects (such as an all-abilities playground at Library Square in Salt Lake City, an athletic complex in Herriman and a recreation center in West Jordan), nearly $36 million for repairs and upgrades, and nearly $30 million to finish existing projects and for contingencies.
  • The County projects added operating and maintenance costs for these facilities averaging $4,710,200 a year over their first 10 years, and says it will decide in its budget process whether that requires budget cuts or a tax increase.

Example

The County's official estimate: on its own, the new debt would cost about $16.39 a year ($1.37 a month) on a primary residence worth the County average of $658,000, and $29.80 a year on a business or second home of the same value. Because older bonds are being paid off, the County expects a net property tax increase of $0 for those properties. The County notes this is an estimate, not a limit. (source)

Who would notice

Salt Lake County property owners, who repay the bonds, and residents who use County parks, trails, open space and recreation centers.

How it got here

The Salt Lake County Council approved placing up to $128 million in bonds on the ballot in August 2026, after first approving up to $100 million and then adding funds for projects in West Jordan and Salt Lake City, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

In the news

Written by SpectrumVote from 2 linked sources (1, 2). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

According to the county's public notice, the Salt Lake County Council adopted a resolution on August 4, 2026, amended August 18, 2026, calling a special bond election on up to $128,000,000 in general obligation bonds for open space, natural habitat, parks, community trails and recreational facilities.

The notice states the bonds would be backed by the county's full faith and credit, and the county may be obligated to levy property taxes sufficient to repay them; the Council held the required public hearing on October 6, 2026.

The Deseret News reported that the Council first approved $100 million on August 4, then voted 7–1 on August 18 to raise the amount to $128 million, adding about $25.7 million for a West Jordan recreation center and $3.1 million for a Salt Lake City civic center; Councilman Carlos Moreno voted no, citing concerns about the process.

The same report says the bond would replace one approved in 2016 and, according to the county, would not raise property taxes when repayment of the earlier bond is taken into account.

Put on the ballot by Salt Lake County Council, August 4, 2026, as amended 7–1 on August 18, 2026 (bond election resolution).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

In the news

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Salt Lake County Special Bond Election mean?
Salt Lake County could borrow up to $128,000,000 by issuing general obligation bonds, maturing in no more than 11 years, to repair, buy, build or renovate open space, natural habitat, parks, trails and recreation facilities.
What does a NO vote on Salt Lake County Special Bond Election mean?
Salt Lake County would not issue these $128,000,000 in bonds.
Would my property tax go up?
The County estimates a net increase of $0 for an average home, because the new bond payments would replace payments on older bonds being paid off. Without the new bonds, those older bond taxes would decrease.
Are there ongoing costs beyond the bonds?
Yes. The County projects about $4.7 million a year in added operating and maintenance costs on average over the first 10 years.
How many votes does Salt Lake County Special Bond Election need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Salt Lake County Special Bond Election?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Salt Lake County ballot.

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