Local activists warn SB39 and PIDs could expand developer‑backed tax zones near schools

Jen Brown, president of Utah Citizens for the Constitution, used a Davis County community meeting to describe public infrastructure districts (PIDs), how they form appointed boards, and why she argues they create "taxation without representation." Brown said PIDs can attach a second property tax to homeowners inside a district and that in practice developers control PID boards.

"Why PIDs are so concerning is that a developer can ask the city if he will create a PID...and then that board...issues a tax on those homeowners in that geographic area. It's a second property tax," Brown told attendees, urging education and outreach to city councils and legislators.

Brown raised SB39, which she called an "investment zone amendment," and said her review of the bill's redlined changes identified substantive changes contrary to sponsor statements. She highlighted one specific change she said was new: expanding municipal promotion zone eligibility so a zone "can be within 1 quarter mile of the boundaries of a school facility," which she said would materially enlarge where zones could be created.

Brown described tactics she and volunteers are using to analyze bills, including AI-assisted bill review to surface substantive changes. She cited comparative examples in Colorado and California and said California ultimately passed a dissolution act after problems with similar structures.

Audience members raised finance and accountability concerns: Brown noted that PIDs issue municipal bonds and that one example cited during the meeting involved a reported Colville PID bankruptcy; an attendee said the Colville case involved a small town (about 1,500 people) facing roughly $500 million in PID‑related obligations. Brown said the auditor's office is pushing to require PIDs to be listed as component units in municipal financial statements, a step she said would limit future approvals.

Brown urged attendees to take action: she named seven senators on the Senate Government Operations committee (Winterton, Blouin, Buss, McKell, Plum, Sandall and Vickers) and asked residents to text or contact committee members to oppose SB39. She also encouraged people to join local communication channels (Telegram/Facebook Group: "Jen Brown, Utah Citizens for the Constitution" and a Davis County GroupMe) and to sign a clipboard to stay connected.

What comes next: Brown said SB39 would be heard by the committee and encouraged attendees to contact committee members and to attend future meetings; she provided printed materials and AI‑generated briefs for distribution.