Nephi Police Seek Property Tax Hike to Address Growth

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The Nephi Police Department is asking the community to support a property tax increase to fund a new police station and add an additional patrol officer. The department says its current facilities are outdated and inadequate, while call volumes have nearly doubled since 2000 without a corresponding increase in staffing.

Why it matters

As Nephi's population has grown, the police department has struggled to keep up with modern public safety demands within its existing budget and facilities. This proposal aims to provide the resources needed to maintain Nephi's reputation as one of the safest communities in Utah.

The details

The Nephi Police Department operates out of an old high school classroom built in 1954, which lacks proper evidence storage, holding areas, and private interview rooms. To build a new police station and add one more officer, the department estimates a monthly cost of about $11 per homeowner with a $500,000 residence. They say this investment is necessary to meet the FBI's recommended staffing ratio of 2.4 officers per 1,000 residents, as Nephi's current 13 sworn officers are insufficient for the city's population of 7,700.

• The Nephi Police Department shared the proposal on social media on Monday, February 14, 2026.
• As of February 2026, Nephi had 13 sworn police officers on staff.

What’s next

The Nephi City Council will need to approve the proposed property tax increase in order for the police department to move forward with building a new station and hiring an additional officer.