Tourism results in lower property taxes, says Draper mayor in State of City speech

Draper is a tourist destination. Who knew? That translates into lower property taxes for its residents. 

In his annual State of the City speech, Mayor Troy Walker said cell phone data shows people from all 50 states set foot in Draper. Tourism results in sales tax revenue and translates into lower property taxes for residents. Pie charts of the city’s general fund revenue showed $21.5 million comes from sales tax while $11 million comes from property taxes. Statistics show the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium had 922,000 visits and the Salt Lake County Flight Park had 258,000 visits in 2025.

“My message is: ‘Shop in Draper.’ It goes right into our budget if you do. Go as often as you can. Out of those taxes, that’s how we fund our city operations,” Walker said.

The mayor’s tone was serious in speaking about the Utah Legislature, going so far as to call the session “the Dark Times.” Walker is not a fan because, he’s said, the state has been trying to take away local control for years. “Whenever that Legislature gets in session, crazy stuff happens,” he said.

At the state level, Walker praised the work of former Draper Council Member Cal Roberts, who now represents District 46. At the federal level, the mayor said, “Congressman (Mike) Kennedy and Sen. (John) Curtis are very receptive to what we need in local government.”

Walker walked through statistics about the city, including 317 acres of parks and 2,700 acres of open space. The current population is estimated at 56,236, made up primarily of 15,562 Gen Z residents (born between 1997-2012) and 15,001 millennials (1981-86) and 11,529 Gen X residents (1965-80). “We even have a fair number of babies,” he said.

Fifty-two percent of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher and a median income is $146,953. “I don’t think a lot of cities in the country have that. … We’re a well-educated community and the median age of 34.7 is pretty young.”

Draper has 3,099 businesses. “That is not by accident. Our council has been interested in making business a big part of our community.” City statistics show the median home price in Draper between $820,000 and $1 million. There are 17,496 total households, made up of 10,650 single-family homes, 4,658 apartments and 2,611 townhomes.

Walker explained the property tax breakdown on a home valued at $1 million. The state currently allows a tax-exempt discount of 45 percent, meaning taxable value in that scenario is $550,000 at a rate of 0.000936, resulting in $514 in taxes. Walker offered up his personal tax statement showing he paid $645 for city services such as police, fire, parks, water and sewer.

“That’s a lot of service for a very little amount of money. The money we’re taking in is what we need to provide the services you expect.” Walker warned of potential legislative action. “They’re talking about changing … that 45 percent exemption to 60 percent. If they do, that takes about $1.6 million out of our budget, and I don’t have $1.6 million laying around. It sounds great to lower taxes, but when you need that paramedic … we might not be able to afford it.”

The biggest expense is the city’s personnel at $30 million. The city employs 319 people, 275 full time and 44 part time or seasonal, including fire and police. Walker expressed the importance of competent employees. He shared accolades received by police and fire personnel, including Draper Detective Bryce Okland named Utah Officer of the Year and an award for wildland/urban interface fire mitigation efforts to Parker Hansen of the Draper Fire Department.

Walker shared statistics indicating a decrease in crime in the city from 2022-25. “I want cops that I pay good that are quality and hard-working, that treat people with respect. Good people cost money. Paramedics are at a premium right now. Our fire department has saved our community several times, including a fire near Draper Heights last year.” Draper partners with other cities in the area for a Police Special Enforcement Team. In 2025, that group seized 15 pounds of meth, 14 pounds of heroin, 200 pounds of marijuana, 960 grams of cocaine, 70,000 fentanyl pills and 87 firearms. They recovered 32 stolen vehicles and made 190 arrests. Draper’s Police Department also belongs to a SWAT team of area cities, comprising 50 members who are equipped to respond to high-risk situations.

The city has had one property tax increase in 18 years. “We probably should have done a few in between. We’ve worked hard to keep the budget in line, but it’s getting more difficult because everything is going up in cost. But sales tax revenue … I’ve never seen it go down, but it did for the first time last year. That panics elected officials because of the chunk of the budget. I hate taxes just as much as you do, but we live in a community where we have things we like. When you need a cop, you need one,” he said.

Last year, Walker served as president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, an organization that lobbies the Legislature. “I hate the Legislature but I spent most of my time there last session because that’s what the league president does … looking out for local government and community interests. It’s kinda nuts that you need a lobbying group like that, but you do,” he said. This year is his fourth and final year in league leadership, serving as past president.

The Point, the 630 acres of state-owned land within city limits where the state prison once stood, garnered the most questions from the audience. Robert Lopez expressed concern over increased traffic as a result of The Point’s development, not just to the interstate, but to arterial streets in Draper.

“Don’t underestimate that. I think it’s going to be a ticking time bomb unless you really work that out,” he said. Lopez also noted the state’s population has nearly doubled since he moved here in 1990 and is projected to grow substantially in the next few decades. With high-density housing planned for The Point, Lopez said, “At some point it’s going to hit a wall where there’s not enough water.”

Walker mentioned nearby Las Vegas where residents drink recycled and sanitized sewer water and have water police. “We haven’t gotten there yet, but we’re getting there,” Walker said.

Regarding the “housing crisis,” Walker has argued that that term and “affordability” are vague. He pointed to the Ivory Homes development east of city hall where one lot “for the dirt” sold for $920,000. “I think government has a narrow lane. We do police, fire and paramedics, garbage and roads well. But when you want government to make a house cost less or lower the cost of gas or food, I’m always suspect when I hear government officials say they’ll do that because we live in a capitalistic economy. Homebuilders have no incentive to build a house that costs $150,000. Builders used to have to come to cities to get land use approved. Then, builders decided to spend their money on lobbyists (at the Legislature). So to say the housing crisis is all on cities … by and large, the communities around here are all on board with creating the right houses, but we don’t build houses or set prices; that’s all the market. We’ve come a long way as local governments, but we also have you to listen to. You want to keep Draper like it was before you got here. That’s what we hear,” he said.

One thing Walker is certain of is this: “They (the Legislature) won’t take land use authority away (from cities) this year because it’s an election year.”

Walker reiterated that Draper’s city council is a six-member council form of government, the most common in Utah. “I only vote if there’s a tie. We’re part-time despite what it may feel like to us. These people love our community, and they’re invested. They work well together and they work hard. They’re the biggest reason our community is as good as it is.” To that he added, “Our future is as bright if not brighter than any other city in this state.”