SALT LAKE CITY — After hours of emotional testimony from residents, Salt Lake County leaders voted this week to approve a nearly 15% property tax increase, scaling back from the originally proposed 20%.

The decision came during Tuesday’s “Truth in Taxation” meeting, where hundreds of residents voiced concerns about the impact of a double-digit hike.

“It threw me into a panic,” one resident said during public comment. Another added, “Property taxes are fundamentally against the Constitution.”

Despite the opposition, County Treasurer Sheila Srivastava insists the increase is smaller than many realize.

“One of the biggest misconceptions that has been really difficult for people to understand is [that] this tax increase only applies to a few lines on your tax notice,” Srivastava explained.

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