STATS 2026 Progress Report: Modernizing Utah’s Property Tax System

The Statewide Tax Administration & Technology Solutions (STATS) program, managed by the Utah Association of Counties (UAC), has delivered its 2026 Annual Report to the Utah Legislature’s Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee. Established in 2026, under SB206, Tax Amendments (W Harper), STATS continues to modernize property tax administration and public transparency across Utah.

Key Highlights:

• Expanding System Reach: STATS now manages cloud infrastructure across 28 counties, covering more than 1.2 million parcels. Its Real Property system is active in 27 of 29 counties—with Salt Lake County scheduled for full integration in Q2 2027—alongside an expanding Personal Property module.
• Efficiency & Appraisal Tools: A new desktop appraisal workflow platform currently in beta testing will reduce required field visits. Meanwhile, the County Assessment Assistance Program (CAAP) expects a 350% growth in commercial parcels serviced for smaller counties in 2027.
• Public Transparency Upgrades:
• Property Data Portal: The public site (stats.utah.gov/propertycharacteristics) is adding interactive GIS mapping and a 10-mile radius property comparison tool in late October 2026.
• Appeals Portal: Six counties directly use the STATS portal for electronic valuation appeals, with direct links provided for all 29 counties.
• Centralized Reporting: STATS continues to build out the statewide portal with telecommunications tax filings, statewide property characteristic search, and comprehensive Tax Increment Financing (TIF) transparency database now entering final testing.

STATS is excited about the many opportunities it has to serve stakeholders throughout the State. We appreciate the partnership that we have with county elected officials and offices and look forward to our continued collaboration. 

October Legislative Interim Recap

In the second-to-last interim meetings of the year, committees dove into final policy conversations in preparation for November's meetings. UAC anticipates that committees will vote to recommend a number of bills in November, which allow the bills to skip one committee hearing during the session in January. During Policy Steering Committee meetings next week, we will discuss many of these anticipated bills. If you would like to join any new PSCs prior to January, please reach out! 

From Our Partners at UIPA

Last month we had the opportunity to participate in the UAC’s Annual Convention. It was great to hear from county leaders at UAC’s Annual Convention about what’s working, where more support is needed and how UIPA can be a better partner. Executive Director Ben Hart emphasized that local priorities should guide our work and county officials should be involved early. Cities and counties retain zoning and permitting authority.

Here are a few ways we work with counties:

Project areas: Each partnership reflects local needs and opportunities. Visit our project area page for highlights, plans and updates from communities across Utah.

Logistics: We help communities improve rail and freight connections so local businesses and producers have more options for getting their goods to market.

Sustainability: Our work includes planning for cleaner freight operations, conserving water and protecting wetlands, alongside the infrastructure needed for economic growth.

Financial tools: Tax differential reinvests a portion of new property tax revenue into the project area where it’s generated. Infrastructure loans help cover upfront costs, while post-performance incentives provide business rebates after agreed-upon commitments are met.

If your county has a challenge or opportunity you’d like to discuss, we’d welcome a conversation.

2027 NACo Legislative Conference

Registration is now open for the 2027 NACo Legislative Conference, taking place February 20–23 in Washington, D.C. Join county leaders from across the country to connect with federal officials, discuss key policy issues, and help strengthen the voice of Utah’s counties in Washington. We encourage UAC members to register early and take advantage of early bird pricing through December 1.

Upcoming Workshop: Medicare & Medical Savings Account 101

A quick reminder to our Auditor and HR teams: don't forget to register for the upcoming Medicare & Medical Savings Account 101 webinar.

Whether you want to better support our employees or expand your own benefits knowledge, this session breaks down the complexities of Medicare and related savings accounts.

• Dates: Thursday, October 29 or Thursday, November 5, 2026
• Details: The webinar access link is provided immediately upon registration. You’ll receive automatic calendar reminders leading up to the session, plus the full recording, slide deck, and resource toolkit afterward.

CES

CES is a member-driven organization dedicated to supporting operational efficiency and educational excellence. CES is comprised of a diverse network of public entities, school districts, charter schools, two- and four-year post-secondary institutions, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, and state schools. CES actively partners with counties, municipalities, and other government agencies to provide cost-effective procurement solutions that benefit communities across the state and beyond. By uniting these organizations, CES fosters collaboration and delivers innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of its members.

Tetrus Corp

Tetrus is a leading solutions provider that helps justice, corrections , and human services agencies modernize without disruption.

We design systems that support your critical operations that make the work more usable, secure, and Agencies get tools that align with how they operate, so can achieve more with the resources they have. Our systems reduce complexity, improve coordination, and reflect how teams really work.

Senior Benefits Insurance Services

Whether your Medicare-eligible employees or family members are preparing to enroll in Medicare, explore coverage choices, or simply have questions, Senior Benefits Insurance Services (SBIS) provides clear, unbiased information so they can make informed decisions with confidence. The goal of SBIS is simple: to be a trusted Medicare resource before, during, and long after enrollment.

Nationwide Insurance

Nationwide Insurance has a long-standing partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), focusing on providing retirement solutions for county employees.