How
Ever wondered how your tax dollars support the services you rely on every day? From street plowing and park maintenance to police and fire protection, South Jordan uses a mix of property tax, sales tax, franchise fees, and other revenues to keep our city running smoothly.
Let’s start with property taxes. While you pay one bill, that amount is split among several government entities. In fact, South Jordan City receives only about 14 cents of every dollar you pay in property tax. The largest portion about 40% goes to the Jordan School District, followed by the State Basic School Levy (15%), Salt Lake County (14%), the South
Jordan City (14%), and the County Library (5%). Even with just a small slice of the pie, the City puts those dollars to work: 100% of our Police Department is funded by property tax, and about 19% of the Fire Department’s budget comes from that same source. Property tax accounts for nearly a quarter of budgeted general fund revenues.
Next up: sales tax. The 7.25% sales tax rate accounts for the largest single revenue source for the City’s general fund making up about 40% of it. That’s why shopping local really matters. Of the 7.25%, a 1% portion is distributed to local governments, and South Jordan keeps about half of that amount. The rest
is pooled statewide and redistributed based on each city’s population.
That’s where growth plays a role. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, South Jordan’s population grew by 53%, compared to 18% for the state. This population growth helps bring in a greater share of the sales tax revenue pool, which supports our expanding services and infrastructure.
So, how do we decide where to spend your tax dollars? Through a system called Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) an approach that allows the City to align spending with the community’s top priorities. PBB puts everything on the table, allowing City leaders to evaluate the true cost and value of each service. That means resources are invested in what matters most and adjusted where needed.
Nearly a year in advance, City staff and the City Council begin building the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Through PBB, your input, data, and the City’s strategic priorities help guide how dollars are allocated. The end result: a budget that’s focused, transparent, and built to support the kind of city we all want to live in.
Want to learn more? Visit our Tax Education 101 webpage to explore how your taxes support South Jordan’s future.
Your Tax Dollars Work in South Jordan
BACK TO SCHOOL
SAFETY: BIKES, SCOOTERS & SAFE ROUTES
A
s students gear up for the new school year, it’s important to remember that getting to school safely is just as important as showing up ready to learn. Whether walking, biking, or riding a scooter, kids— and parents—need to know the rules of the road and follow them.
Walking and Riding the Right Way
Jordan School District has designated Safe Walking and Biking Routes for many schools. These routes include sidewalks, controlled crossings, and crossing guards to help kids travel safely. Families are encouraged to review their school’s route and walk or ride it together before the first day of school. Practice makes safety stick!
Riders should stay on the right side of the road, obey traffic signs, and stop at all intersections. Kids should always dismount and walk their bike or scooter across busy streets and school grounds. Helmets are a must for all riders under 18 and strongly encouraged for everyone.
Heads Up, Devices Down
Distractions like headphones or phones can be dangerous. Students should stay alert and aware of their surroundings while walking or riding.
Everyone Has a Role
Getting to school safely is a shared responsibility. Drivers should slow down in school zones, watch for
children near crosswalks, and always stop for crossing guards. Students and families should follow rules and model safe behavior for others.
Know the Law: E-Bikes
E-bikes are powerful and should be treated like motor vehicles—with caution, care, and proper training. If your child rides an electric bike, make sure you’re up to speed on Utah law:
• Children under age 8 are not permitted to ride e-bikes.
• Ages 8 to 13 must have direct adult supervision when operating an e-bike.
• E-bikes capable of speeds up to 28 mph (Class 3) are only legal for riders age 16 and up.
• Electric motorcycles—which lack pedals, exceed 28 mph, and have motors over 750 watts—are not classified as e-bikes and require a driver license with motorcycle endorsement, vehicle registration, and insurance.
Let’s work together to make this school year safe from the start.
KIDS CROSSING
Kids are returning to school. The City and School District work hard to maintain a safe route for the kids to walk, but kids often wander, so watch out for them in unexpected places. Don’t speed and stop at stop signs.
AUGUST 2025
City Event Calendar
MOVIES IN THE MOONLIGHT
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6:30 PM
Highland Park, 6050 W Lake Ave
sjc.utah.gov/201/Movies-in-the-Moonlight
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 PM
City Hall at 1600 W. Towne Center Dr. & Online
sjc.utah.gov/city-council
MOVIES IN THE MOONLIGHT
Night at the Museum
6:30 PM
Highland Park, 6050 W Lake Ave
sjc.utah.gov/201/Movies-in-the-Moonlight
MOVIES IN THE MOONLIGHT
Inside Out
6:30 PM
Highland Park, 6050 W Lake Ave
sjc.utah.gov/201/Movies-in-the-Moonlight
SOJO QUILT SHOW
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Inside City Hall during Farmers Market
Pre-registration required by August 10
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 PM
City Hall at 1600 W. Towne Center Dr. & Online
sjc.utah.gov/city-council
SOJO SENIOR PROGRAMS: GENERATION DAY
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Community Center, 10778 S. Redwood Rd.
Sign up ahead of time by calling 801-302-1222.
Community & Wellness A Fresh Take on
There’s nothing quite like biting into a sun-ripened peach picked just hours earlier, or chatting with the farmer who grew the tomatoes you’re bringing home for dinner. That’s the beauty of the South Jordan Farmers Market, and one of the many reasons I hope you’ll join us there this season.
Our Farmers Market isn’t just another weekend event. It’s a celebration of what makes South Jordan so special: strong community, healthy living, and supporting one another. From August 2 to October 11, every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., our Towne Center plaza transforms into a fun, open-air market filled with some of the freshest produce in Utah. At the market, you’ll discover delicious goods from places like Schmidt’s Farm—a family farm in our community that has operated since 1911.
What sets our market apart is its origin story. Before launching the market in 2009, City leaders met with directors from some of the most successful local and national farmers markets to learn what made those markets thrive. What they learned helped shape a vision: a true farmers market in the southwest heart of the Salt Lake Valley, focused squarely on locally produced food, freshness, and community. That vision came to life through a labor of love and in partnership with the Utah Farm Bureau.
While fresh food was integral to the vision, city leaders created the South Jordan Farmers Market to do more than sell produce. It was designed to stimulate our local economy, support existing Towne Center businesses through increased foot traffic and sales tax, encourage healthy eating habits, and improve the quality of life for residents.
Those founding principles are still alive today. Market guidelines require that at least 75% of our vendors are directly involved in food production (produce), preparation, like honey, jam, and fresh bread, or food education, with the Farm Bureau ensuring this commitment is upheld. The City complements that focus by offering engaging experiences like live music, art, and kids’ activities, including our popular free crafts each week.
This effort also reflects our citywide priority on health and wellness. In the Spring of 2024, South Jordan earned the Healthy Utah Community designation and launched our Healthy South Jordan coalition to deepen our impact. The Farmers Market plays a key role in that mission, making healthy food more accessible while strengthening the social fabric of our community.
The market has continued to evolve over its 16 years, with the addition of SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks benefits accepted at the market, ensuring more families can enjoy fresh, nutritious options.
So whether you’re coming for the produce, the people, or just a peaceful Saturday stroll, I hope to see you there. Fresh produce is good for our health, and supporting our farmers supports our future—helping make South Jordan an even healthier place to live, work, and thrive.
