That’s exactly where we are in Davis County as voters face another proposed school tax hike, with a public hearing scheduled Aug. 19. In 2021, the district received a 30% increase. Now it wants to raise property taxes by 10.27%, adding $99.66 per year on a $600,000 home, proportionally across other property values. That extra $100 might make you shrug; yet, the district would collect an additional $12.7 million annually. Is this really necessary?

Here’s the problem: We can’t know. Like many Utah school districts, Davis sits on large and growing reserve funds — but they don’t explain how that money is managed or spent. A state audit found Utah districts collectively hold $4.5 billion in investment accounts, yet transparency remains elusive. These reserves are meant for emergencies or future projects, but many districts — including Davis — have allowed them to grow unchecked. If so much money is set aside, why keep asking taxpayers for more?

Years ago, as a newspaper reporter in Florida, I covered school board meetings a few times. Even from that limited experience, I saw how the game works: budgets shrouded in jargon, weak state oversight and vague answers on why more revenue is needed. Officials talk about rising costs, but never about their steadily growing reserves.

Does more funding improve outcomes? Not clearly. Utah ranked 29th in U.S. News’ recent K-12 rankings, and proficiency in reading, math and science has remained around the state average. Davis County scores better, but the district has yet to release any data proving that additional tax will lift student performance.

Meanwhile, over 2,000 district employees earn six figures, while some front-line teachers still pay out of pocket for classroom supplies. The district’s priorities are questionable when administrators take home salaries well over $200,000, not counting generous benefits.

And here’s who’s getting hosed: seniors on fixed incomes. Their Social Security benefits seldom keep pace with inflation, yet property tax increases follow rising home values — subjecting them to burdens with no children in public schools. Some must choose which bills to delay, which foods to skip, or even stretch medication before refilling. Other states show more compassion: California districts like Franklin-McKinley and Mt. Diablo cap or waive school taxes for seniors; New York grants up to $1,500 a year; Texas freezes property taxes at age 65. Vermont, Decatur, Georgia, and other localities provide relief too. Utah? Davis County? Zip.

I raised this with a local politician and education zealot who claimed to support senior tax relief. When I asked about actual legislation, the reply was that calculating the amount “would be difficult.” When I pressed further, the answer boiled down to this: it doesn’t matter that seniors no longer have children in school. “An educated citizenry benefits everyone.”

A comforting thought — unless you’re a retiree living solely on Social Security. Those other states, not known as family friendly like Utah, manage to show both restraint and equity.

At least Bountiful City demonstrates some discretion, with just two tax increases in 23 years (2001 and 2019) while keeping reserves steady. Why can’t Davis County schools do the same?

It’s time for the board to deliver three essentials:

1. Full transparency: Show how reserves are funded and spent.
2. Senior fairness: Adopt relief measures like those in California, New York or Texas.
3. Accountability for outcomes: Set clear, measurable goals tied to new funding.

As taxpayers and voters, we have the right — and responsibility — to demand transparency, fairness and accountability. Before the Aug. 19 vote, attend meetings, ask questions and insist on real answers.

No investor in their right mind would keep putting money into a venture showing vague accounting and little evidence of return. Why should Davis County residents? The board shouldn’t get another dime until it addresses these issues and earns our trust.

Chuck Goldberg is a former newspaper reporter, magazine managing editor and public relations consultant. His findings once helped an Illinois school district overcome citizen resentment to pass its first successful bond referendum in 20 years. He lives in West Point.