[1:14] Ready, Alicia? >> Mhm.

[1:16] » Okay. Welcome everybody. We're glad to see you

[1:19] here to join us tonight. Tonight is a truth in taxation public

[1:23] hearing meeting of the Grantsville City Council. For the record, today's date is

[1:28] August 5th, 2026, and the time is 7:00 p.m.

[1:32] This meeting is being held at the Grantsville City Council Chambers

[1:36] located at 429 East Main Street in Grantsville, Utah, as well as

[1:40] electronically by Zoom. I am Mayor Heidi Hammond, and I will

[1:44] conduct a roll call of our council members. Council member Butler.

[1:47] » Here. >> Dalton.

[1:49] » Here. >> Skinner.

[1:50] » Here. >> Thomas.

[1:51] » Here. >> Williams.

[1:52] » Here. >> Thank you. If everyone would please

[1:55] stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

[1:59] » [clears throat]

[2:03] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[2:09] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[2:16] justice for all. >> [clears throat]

[2:19] » Thank you.

[2:27] Just for everyone's information, uh tonight's agenda will only have the

[2:32] one item, and that is the Truth in Taxation public hearing. The reason for

[2:36] that is it is a state requirement that tonight's meeting just be

[2:40] um in regards to to this um this topic.

[2:45] So, as we get to our public hearing and public comment section, we only have the

[2:51] one item that we will be discussing tonight. So, if you'll please keep your

[2:54] comments to that one item. If you have additional comments that you'd like to

[2:58] make to the council in regards to other items or other concerns you might have,

[3:03] if you can join us on our August 17th meeting or email the council or call the

[3:08] council. Um >> It's the 19th tonight.

[3:11] » Did I say 17th? Sorry. August 19th. August 19th is the correct date,

[3:15] Wednesday, August 19th. Uh with that being said, um we will

[3:20] begin with agenda item number one, a public hearing item, consideration of

[3:25] resolution 2026-59 approving a property tax increase and

[3:30] levying the property tax rate for fiscal year 2027.

[3:36] Grantsville City is considering levying levying a tax rate that exceeds the

[3:40] current certified tax rate in the form of a 4.98%

[3:45] increase to its property tax rate from 0.001417

[3:51] to

[3:55] Grantsville City's proposed tax rate increase will generate an additional

[3:59] $110,832

[4:03] of ad valorem tax revenue to be generated each year. To the average home

[4:08] valued at $563,000 in Grantsville City, this will equate to

[4:13] an increase of approximately $21.99 a year or $1.83 a month.

[4:21] The purpose of this additional $110,832

[4:25] ad valorem tax revenue is to fund a full-time benefited employee to support

[4:30] new Grantsville City parks coming online.

[4:33] Scenic Slopes Park and the Veterans Park, both of which are anticipated to

[4:37] be completed early in fiscal year 2027.

[4:43] Uh we also have an additional park that a developer is building out themselves.

[4:48] The city did not purchase or do any of the um

[4:51] build out of that park. It's at the Desert Edge subdivision and that is also

[4:56] supposed to be coming online at the same time as well.

[4:59] Or right close to it. Um

[5:03] before we go to your comments, which are very important for us to hear, we will

[5:08] have a presentation of impact statement fee by our finance director, Aspen.

[5:15] » All right. This is our property tax impact schedule. We have seen this

[5:20] numerous times. We have to present it every time we discuss the property tax

[5:24] increase or the budget for fiscal year '27.

[5:28] Um so I'm just going to go through this quickly. A lot of it is information that

[5:33] Mayor Hammond has already stated at the beginning of this meeting.

[5:36] Grantsville City is considering an increase to its property tax rate from

[5:40] 0.001417 to 0.001488,

[5:47] which exceeds the estimated certified tax rate and it's estimated to generate

[5:50] an additional $110,832 in property tax revenue.

[5:56] The following information is intended to provide the city council and the public

[5:59] with an explanation of how the city's operations would be affected if the

[6:02] proposed property tax increase is adopted.

[6:06] So, you can see that our current property tax rate is 0.001417,

[6:11] and that will generate approximately $2,211,000

[6:16] $211,956.

[6:19] The proposed revenue with this tax proposed tax change would be

[6:24] $2,322,788,

[6:28] which is approximately $110,832 of additional revenue.

[6:34] To get that, we would be raising property taxes

[6:37] a 4.98%, which takes us to that 0.001488

[6:44] tax rate. So, if you please scroll down just a

[6:46] little, Alicia, sorry. Um so, the median

[6:51] home in Grantsville City is $563,000. Um that with this change, it would

[6:58] increase their property taxes by $21.99 annually, which equates to $1.83 a

[7:05] month, which they would see there. And this

[7:09] full $110,832 is going to um

[7:15] fund an additional parks and recreation employee, just one full-time position

[7:20] that's fully benefited, um in anticipation for Scenic Slopes,

[7:26] Veterans Park, and then also the Desert Edge development um park that is coming

[7:30] online as well, just to help support and upkeep those parks. So,

[7:36] um yeah, that's really all I have for you

[7:38] guys, just to present that, and then we've talked plenty, you've heard me.

[7:43] So, I think we're good to turn the time over to the public.

[7:46] » Okay, thanks, Aspen. Does anyone have any questions for Aspen before we begin

[7:51] our public hearing?

[7:55] Okay. All right, so this is a public hearing

[7:57] item. We invite those who are interested to comment on this item to please come

[8:01] forward. We'll start with those who are in the room, and those who are online

[8:06] will also be given an opportunity to make a comment as well.

[8:11] Because we want everyone to have an opportunity to make a comment that would

[8:14] like to, please limit your comments to 3 minutes per speaker. You will see a

[8:18] countdown timer on the podium. We will also be accepting emailed public

[8:24] comments until the close of the meeting, and we will display the email address on

[8:27] the screen during the public comment period.

[8:30] We also have received um public or emails that that the

[8:35] council has been given, and so those have all been seen by the council

[8:38] members. So, um you needn't fear that we haven't seen

[8:42] those those emails. Um

[8:47] when we get to the online comments, you may use the zoom function to raise your

[8:52] hand, and when you are called on, we'll get you unmuted so that you can comment.

[8:56] If you have dialed in on a phone, you can raise your hand by pressing star

[9:01] nine. And once I call your name, you will

[9:04] press star six to unmute yourself. So, we will begin with any public

[9:10] comment of anyone who is present in the room. We will start in that order, and

[9:14] again, uh please limit your comments to 3

[9:17] minutes.

[9:20] » [clears throat]

[9:25] » Good evening, council. Um and the honorable Mayor Hammond. Um

[9:29] appreciate your hard work. I know it's a probably a thankless job you do. Uh you

[9:32] got to make some tough decisions. I my only comment and encouragement to

[9:37] the council would be back in May when this first came up that

[9:41] there was an 84% increase number thrown around.

[9:45] Now whether it was intentional, I think to the

[9:48] public it appears maybe you throw up a high

[9:52] number so we can come down to this low number. So my comment would be just

[9:56] before you introduce a number in the future, maybe do the homework, make sure

[10:00] you can come in with a number that is as low as you think it can be. Cuz that's a

[10:05] big swing from 84 to this sub five. And it's good you did it and we appreciate

[10:09] it. But

[10:12] it looks like some shenanigans. And I'm not accusing you of that, but that's

[10:15] just what it looks like. And sometimes perception is truth to the people

[10:18] perceiving it. So just that would be my only comment. Um

[10:23] I don't know the legality of this either, but maybe another revenue

[10:25] generator is have our police officers write some more speeding tickets on Main

[10:29] Street. I think they could sit out there write all tickets all day and they could

[10:32] have funded this $110,000 in a month. So >> [laughter]

[10:35] » Um again appreciate your work and that that's all

[10:38] my comments. Did I need to identify myself? I didn't.

[10:40] » Yes. I say have you state your name for the record.

[10:42] » Cameron Moulton. Address too? >> Thank you. And then if you'll

[10:45] » No, I'm over on this side. >> And I'm sorry I forgot to mention if you

[10:48] make a comment, if you'll please sign your name on the um clipboard that's

[10:52] there on the edge of the desk, that would be very helpful for our recorder.

[10:55] Thank you. >> Thanks, Cameron.

[11:02] » Hi everybody. My name is Mary Ann Tusa.

[11:05] Um I live on the Grand Drive. My question is

[11:10] if you go over the medium rate is it more?

[11:16] Or is it just one flat rate of the $21 a month?

[11:21] Do you know what I'm saying? >> Yes, I I understand your question, but

[11:24] let me just make a little quick comment if that's okay. Um

[11:30] we are not allowed to go back and forth in dialogue with you during this time.

[11:34] » Okay. >> But the council will be writing down the

[11:36] questions that are addressed and then we will address them after. So, don't think

[11:40] we're ignoring your question. We're not. So, go ahead.

[11:42] » you. >> Mhm.

[11:43] » Um Also, I noticed in here that uh you're

[11:48] not including any new growth.

[11:52] So, you got a lot of new homes being built.

[11:57] They're not going to pay this? They're not included in this rate?

[12:02] So, I know you can't comment, but that would take care of that

[12:07] 110 cuz there's a lot of homes going up. And uh

[12:13] Trying to think what else I have to say.

[12:17] That's about it. Those are my two questions that I had. I

[12:21] think you're all doing a good job. This is very difficult, but also to uh next

[12:26] year they're going to raise rates too that affect our property taxes also.

[12:31] You know, this year was kind of mellow. We didn't the property taxes weren't

[12:38] raised, but that I've paid property taxes since 1979. Different state, but

[12:43] here 18 years. And I noticed that you do that one year and then the next year

[12:47] boom. We're going to hit you with what we

[12:50] really want to get. That's all I have to say. Thank you.

[12:53] » Thank you. And if you'll sign your name on the edge of that desk, that'd be

[12:57] greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[13:11] Are there any other comments from those in the room?

[13:22] We will If not, we will then move to those who are on Zoom.

[13:28] Are there comments on Zoom?

[13:32] Did you say you have 11, Alicia? >> Um, but none of them have raised their

[13:36] hand. >> Okay, if you're if you're online

[13:39] and you would like to make a comment, if you would please raise your hand.

[13:44] Or if you're on the phone, you can press star nine.

[13:55] » And the raise your hand button is at the bottom of your screen

[13:59] for those who are unfamiliar with Zoom.

[14:23] » Anybody online, Alicia, that would like to make a comment?

[14:27] » I see no raised hands. >> Okay.

[14:31] Anybody else in the audience that would like to make a comment?

[14:37] » [laughter] [snorts]

[14:41] » All right, I see no additional comments, so we will close the public hearing

[14:47] and we will move on to a council discussion regarding this item.

[14:55] Um, does anybody on the council want to address the questions that were asked

[14:58] during our public comment? Or

[15:02] Aspen, if you would like to address either of those as well.

[15:06] » I would just I mean with the the first comment um

[15:11] from uh Cameron Moulton just about coming in at 84% and going to

[15:16] 4.998% um, maybe just have Aspen and City

[15:20] Manager Michael just get up and and talk about the process that goes through from

[15:25] all the departments to get their budget in and and and how that all came and how

[15:30] it was riddled prior and anyways, I think that would be that

[15:34] would help not only for us as council members, I think we somewhat understand

[15:38] it, but to to to talk about that again and then also for those that are

[15:42] listening online and here in the gallery.

[15:45] » You want me to do it again? >> I can start. I'll start and then Michael

[15:48] can chime in as he sees it appropriate. So, we started the budget process back

[15:52] in February with basically an ask to all departments for

[15:58] them to go through their current budgets that they were in in fiscal year 26 at

[16:01] the time and evaluate them and get us sheets back for what their

[16:07] asks are for their budget line items, whether and we, you know, that included

[16:13] all asks to be sure, so that included any additional staffing that they felt

[16:17] was necessary. >> Capital projects.

[16:19] » Capital projects, capital equipment, um

[16:22] large purchases, things that would be would

[16:26] they needed to have justification for the increase in the budget line,

[16:29] basically is what um and then Michael and I reviewed those

[16:34] and then met with each department head to go over them individually to try to

[16:40] mitigate some of the asks that were coming through initially.

[16:44] Um and then after that we did compile it

[16:48] together. Um

[16:51] » And I think that calculation turned out to be if they we granted all their asks

[16:55] and approved the budget, it was closer to 200 and

[16:59] what, 80% increase? >> It was yeah, it was very high initially

[17:04] and then we had whittled it down like just, you know, Michael and talking

[17:08] with department heads to get the asks, but I think the biggest thing to note is

[17:13] we are trying really hard to get ourselves out of a deficit that Grants

[17:16] Pass City is currently operating in. So, Grantsville City has been operating

[17:20] based off of being able to pull from savings,

[17:23] essentially. Um

[17:25] and that's not a long-term sustainable method of budgeting or operating a

[17:31] business. And so, we had gone through

[17:35] um and slashed all of the asks and just to

[17:40] get Grantsville out of the deficit and maintain current operations, it would

[17:43] have been that 84% increase that was presented in May initially. So,

[17:49] » So, that's how we got to that that number.

[17:51] » There Yeah, so there was substantial like

[17:55] ask at that point, but it was in an attempt to try to get us out of the

[17:58] deficit that we're currently operating in, pulling from our savings in order to

[18:01] do basic [clears throat] operating. >> And Aspen, if I can if I can comment at

[18:06] this point, I understand that some of the reason that we had those savings was

[18:09] from COVID funds. Is that correct? So, the COVID funds had been given to the

[18:14] city during that time and then we had been using those to

[18:18] deal with our deficit and those funds are obviously no longer

[18:21] » Yes. >> coming to the city.

[18:23] » Yeah, it is my opinion that without having received the COVID relief funds

[18:27] during COVID-19 and the governmental support that came to Grantsville City

[18:31] from that, Grantsville would have had to do a property tax increase prior to now.

[18:35] Keep in mind also, Grantsville City has not done a property tax increase since

[18:40] 2009, 2011. I can check. I know we talked about it. Um

[18:45] but it's been decade, like more than a decade since

[18:50] we've done an increase. And actually, we did Grantsville City had done two small

[18:54] increases and then did two large decreases in the property tax rate after

[18:58] that. And hasn't touched the certified tax

[19:02] rate since. And so, >> And I guess to to help the public be

[19:05] aware that the council at the direction of our last

[19:08] budgeting meeting that we are still operating in the deficit this year of a

[19:14] amounts. We're still into savings, but to help reduce

[19:18] the impact of increasing the tax rate this year.

[19:22] That's what the council has directed that that's where we're at right now.

[19:26] » To be sure that does include there was no additional staffing. There was no

[19:30] additional asks that were granted this year to any department. So

[19:33] » Except for the one mandatory

[19:37] necessary employee that we need. >> Yes, so other

[19:41] This ask is included in to fund the

[19:45] that ask basically because no other asks were granted. So there was no additional

[19:50] staffing, no new projects, no new equipment, no

[19:54] um just operating at a very lean capacity and only basic operations.

[20:01] Nothing it above.

[20:04] » And then that we did do a reduction looking at the budget. With council line

[20:09] item by line item, and we did take a couple

[20:12] hours during those council meetings walking it through and finding out how

[20:15] to cut uh significant portions from the budget.

[20:18] » Yes, and that's how we got to the eight from the 88 or 85

[20:22] » 84 >> 84% to the 4.95. So

[20:28] Um as Does anyone have any additional comments on that?

[20:32] Or concerns on the council? >> I don't have one on that, but I know I

[20:36] think it's Maryann had asked a question about is it Is everybody paying $21

[20:39] That's just an average. It's going to be a percentage based on your house.

[20:43] » On the value of your home. >> of your house will be that 4.9. So it's

[20:46] not going to be $21 a year for everyone. >> And the new homes that get built will be

[20:50] taxed. >> Yeah, do you want to address how that

[20:52] will work? So I know we can't count on that because we don't have those

[20:56] residents here. So we can't count on them to be

[20:59] there to make that portion of that payment, but obviously they're going to

[21:03] have the same taxes that every other community member has, and so

[21:07] that will add to it, but we can't count on that because they're not here in

[21:11] residence at this time. Is that an explanation that's

[21:14] acceptable, Aspen? >> Yes. Yes. So, everyone, including new

[21:18] incoming homes, are will pay property taxes and will be taxed at the same rate

[21:23] as everyone else in Grantsville City. So, if they're within the Grantsville

[21:26] City boundaries, they pay the same tax rate, and every home and property pays

[21:31] it. So, even if it's empty land and it's property, they're still paying property

[21:35] taxes on that land, and so they still are taxed at that same rate. Um

[21:41] but yes, it it does impact each property individually based on the value of

[21:46] that property that's been assessed. Now, also to clarify, Grantsville City does

[21:51] not conduct those assessments for the assessed values of the property here in

[21:55] Grantsville City. That's actually conducted through the Tooele County

[21:59] Assessor's Office, and their assessors go out and assess the values. So, we

[22:04] don't assign the value to your property here in Grantsville City. So, we have no

[22:07] control over those values that are assigned.

[22:14] » Is everybody on the council clear with those explanations?

[22:20] » There was one other comment um by Mary Ann, where she um

[22:24] talked about Tooele raising their rates, too. I'm I'm assuming that's Tooele

[22:27] County. Um but Tooele City won't affect

[22:31] Grantsville residents. So, if that's the that's the notion, then

[22:35] um Tooele City raising their rates doesn't affect Grantsville City

[22:39] residents. But Tooele County, that that may affect us, and obviously Tooele

[22:43] County School District affects us as well.

[22:46] » Mhm. Yes.

[22:49] And to be sure, that isn't within control of their own

[22:53] They're their own taxing entity, so they would make that decision independently

[22:56] of us, and we would not see We would not receive any additional revenue if they

[23:01] were to increase their rates at all. We We only receive what we are taxing.

[23:20] » Oh, she wants to make a comment. >> Does Tooele County

[23:24] doesn't give Grantsville City any revenue from [clears throat] their taxes

[23:29] from the taxes? Nothing?

[23:33] They just keep it all I didn't know that. I thought they gave

[23:37] you something. >> No.

[23:38] » [clears throat] >> You learn something new every day.

[23:43] » So just So just to kind of put it into

[23:46] perspective, an example that I have for a property tax valuation that went out

[23:50] this year, um

[23:53] the proposed if the proposed tax rate was to go

[23:56] through, um approved, that that home specifically

[24:00] would pay $3,461.85 in property taxes.

[24:05] And of that, Grantsville City would receive $455.

[24:10] The rest [clears throat] goes to the other taxing entities that impact that

[24:14] home specifically. Obviously, that's just an example. It would be unique to

[24:18] each home, but just to kind of put in perspective how much we're receiving of

[24:22] the property taxes that are paid. >> Did you mention what the value of that

[24:26] home was? >> The uh the tax value of that home is

[24:31] um So that one is $556,000.

[24:36] dollar home. >> And that number is generated that's the

[24:38] median home price for Grantsville. That's what I was asking about.

[24:43] » Yeah, so the median home was um 563, I think, and this one is 556. So

[24:49] it's a little lower, but so their property taxes would go up

[24:54] $21.72 if it if it were to pass annually.

[25:00] » I think it's higher than that. You pay more, correct?

[25:03] » Yes. Yeah, it's a percentage. Yeah. If it's lower, then it's lower.

[25:08] » Yeah, that's right. >> Um when your property [clears throat]

[25:11] tax statement comes out, it's broken down individually on that statement. You

[25:15] can go through line by line and see I think now one of the things that they

[25:19] also do is they put a graph on there, a pie graph, which indicates what portion

[25:24] is going where um of those taxes you're paying and and

[25:28] where they where they get plugged to specifically.

[25:31] So, that's beneficial, too.

[25:36] » Yeah.

[25:49] » Aspen, could in one of these emails we got, um

[25:55] one of them they asked a question about the police department. It says other

[25:58] professional services. Um had a budgeted last year, I think it

[26:03] like 15,000, and now it's 183. Could you just walk us through that? I know we

[26:08] changed some light light line items around. Um that was one of them, and can

[26:13] you explain kind of what went behind that and if that was one of

[26:17] those line items that we changed? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, it was um that one

[26:22] specifically. So, as you can see, so this is the police department's budget.

[26:27] So, that other professional services, it did have a substantial jump for fiscal

[26:31] year '27, which is this last column where Alicia's cursor is.

[26:35] Um from the last year's budget, which was

[26:39] fiscal year 2026, which was 15,000. Um we did move around where some of our

[26:44] expenses are paid for. So, originally, we had been paying for the Tooele County

[26:50] dispatch contract out of dues and fees line here in police department.

[26:55] Um that we decided it needed to be reallocated

[27:00] as an other professional service because that's a more appropriate categorization

[27:04] of that contract. And so we moved that expense from dues and fees to other

[27:10] professional services and you can actually see that reflected in the

[27:12] budget as well because dues and fees budget went down substantially.

[27:16] » So it looks like an increase but it's it's just a shift from one budget line

[27:20] to another. >> Correct.

[27:21] » Just to align with more proper accounting

[27:25] practices. >> Yeah, and that contract alone with the

[27:27] Tooele County for dispatch services is $157,000.

[27:32] So and that's what allows our police department to be able to receive the 911

[27:36] calls and respond. So

[27:40] yeah, that's an explanation for that. >> Okay. If we just were to scroll down

[27:43] just a little bit you can kind of see that line item at the top of the next

[27:47] page. So I let me try to try to split the the two pages.

[27:51] » Yeah, it won't let me. >> It won't let you?

[27:53] Well, on my computer. >> Really?

[27:55] » Yeah. >> I'm sorry. I can send

[27:56] » There's probably a setting I have but >> That's fine. You can just go down just a

[27:59] little bit into the next page you can see the

[28:02] second from the from the top. This is at $168,067

[28:07] and now that line item is at $500 dues and fees.

[28:11] » Mhm. And you can see it was budgeted at $185,000 for fiscal year '26, so last

[28:17] year. So we just moved that budget from that line to another line.

[28:35] » [clears throat]

[28:39] » Then under the legal part we got kind of the same thing with the legal services.

[28:44] That jumped up quite a bit. Um >> Yeah, and that one's a little

[28:49] harder to track because it did come We had

[28:53] initially large budget amount in general government, which is our city hall

[28:57] budget, which the legal department was originally has previously been

[29:01] encompassed under. Last year was the first year that the

[29:04] legal department was their own department and had their own budget. And

[29:08] so it was

[29:12] a different it So, it essentially moved from the grants with city hall budget to

[29:16] the legal department budget specifically. So,

[29:20] that budget for that department does seem substantially more than it was in

[29:24] years past, but that's just because we haven't had it before, but we did move

[29:27] it from the city hall budget. So, if you looked between those two different

[29:31] departments, it would even out. But, it is a it's

[29:36] legal services are expensive. So, it is it is a substantial budget line.

[29:40] » transparent on what we're actually spending on

[29:42] » [clears throat] >> our legal services.

[29:44] » Yeah. >> Okay.

[29:46] I'm just trying to get some of these questions asked asked just so everyone's

[29:49] aware and we're being as transparent as we can

[29:52] with everybody. >> I appreciate that we're looking into

[29:56] those areas to give them more visibility. Those you know, and we're

[30:01] coding we're coding those items where they should be coded

[30:05] specifically to what services they are. >> Yeah.

[30:08] » It allows us to be able to manage them better if it's not all in one cookie

[30:13] jar, it's separated into smaller pieces. So, thank you for

[30:20] looking at those as you're going through them.

[30:22] » I mean, even just looking right there, you can see that judicial

[30:26] the budget item went down um

[30:29] about $40,000. Did a lot of that money get moved down

[30:33] into the legal department?

[30:36] » Yeah. Yeah, so we did it and you know, it's on a to-do list when

[30:42] there's time, but ultimately like our general ledger and account names

[30:46] probably need a pretty big revamp. A lot of it's outdated, and so we kind of put

[30:52] things in where they would best fit, but from my perspective, that's not

[30:56] transparent cuz as a member of the public, if I wanted to find the legal

[30:59] fees that we were paying, I would go to the legal department. So like that's a

[31:03] change that we've made to help it easy be easier for those that aren't within

[31:08] our own organization be able to find things. So we're working to try to be

[31:13] more aptly named and easier, you know, more user-friendly all around.

[31:42] » Aspen, one other question from from the emails that we received, it

[31:48] says, "Why do the parks and cemetery need four times the amount budgeted than

[31:51] the average that is spent over the past 3 years for irrigation assessment? Can

[31:56] you give us an explanation on that?" >> Yeah, so the irrigation assessment is a

[32:01] fee that we charge that we're charged that we pay to Grantsville Irrigation

[32:05] Company, and it is to assess our water shares. So we have A shares, B shares.

[32:11] Um, we have to pay that every year. >> Just like the public does with their

[32:15] irrigation shares. >> Yeah, exactly. And so as far as the

[32:18] increase, I I can't really speak to that because

[32:22] we just pay Grantsville Irrigation Company. So they bill us. So as far as

[32:27] like the increase in cost, I would recommend that we reach out to them. Um,

[32:33] but we're we're just budgeting an

[32:35] appropriate amount to be able to pay those bills to have our shares assessed

[32:39] for our irrigation shares this year.

[32:43] » It is the salaries and wages right there that's the highlighted with the that

[32:46] increase at the top is for that new employee, correct? That's why that's

[32:50] » Correct. >> That's why it's highlighted, yeah.

[32:53] » Yeah, yeah, cuz those budget lines do in in this specific example of the budget,

[32:58] it does include the if the increase was to be approved, those lines are adjusted

[33:03] according to that increase for this example. So yeah, that's why they're

[33:06] highlighted like that. Just to draw attention so that way it's clear where

[33:09] it went.

[33:14] » [clears throat]

[33:24] [clears throat]

[33:53] » Anyone any council member have any additional comments you'd like to make

[33:57] before have a motion? Or any other discussion topics for this

[34:04] item?

[34:08] » Yeah, maybe I'll I'll speak my mind. I

[34:13] uh when we're talking about taxes and raising taxes, obviously, I

[34:18] know I support a zero percent increase of tax. Um

[34:23] one of the you know, one of the challenges that we

[34:26] have is and I and I I appreciate that we've

[34:29] gone about I think we've gone about this the right way.

[34:32] Uh we've we've gone back to all of the individual departments and and

[34:39] addressed it in that fashion. Um obviously when you're operating

[34:44] in a deficit, um

[34:47] you've got a you know, there's there's two sides that I think you have to

[34:50] attack from, but um

[34:54] and and operating in a deficit is not the right way to run,

[34:58] um in my opinion. So, um that's that's the hard part that

[35:03] we're up against. Uh I know you know, just recently we've we've had

[35:08] to increase some fees to to help compensate for

[35:13] um something that should have been planned for many, many years ago, and so

[35:16] we've we've had some increases. So, I think I just want to make the comment

[35:21] that that we

[35:24] don't take this lightly at all. Um it's a

[35:28] you know, at the same time there's there's items that need to have the

[35:34] services, you know, we're telling the police department you can't bring on

[35:38] another another officer or you know, so we have

[35:42] we have we have needs as a city and to ensure that we can

[35:45] manage and take care of the needs of the city and do it judiciously with the

[35:49] dollars that we have. That's the that's our

[35:52] that's what we're in these roles to do. And so,

[35:55] and I appreciate that the approach that has been taken

[36:00] to go through all of that in this and and go through line by line and

[36:05] and ask what's happening and how it's happening and and and be able to gain

[36:10] more insight to see what areas we feel like we can

[36:14] we can adjust. I feel we run a pretty lean ship. Um

[36:18] and I think that's been how it's been ran and and

[36:22] and we've we've brought in outside dollars to to help

[36:26] mitigate some of that and and so in my opinion some of these

[36:31] questions should have been asked, you know, prior to today to

[36:35] hey, when when those dollars eventually go out, are we going to be behind and

[36:39] and ensure we we stay where we need to stay. This is kind of the minimalistic

[36:44] approach. Um And anyway, that's

[36:50] that I just wanted the public to know, yeah, this is this has been something

[36:53] that I I I think the entire council has spent a good deal of time on the the

[37:00] department has spent a good deal of time on

[37:03] and we're we're here where we're at. So. >> Thanks, Jake.

[37:09] Anyone else want to make a statement? >> Um I do. So

[37:15] I I'm against any tax raise as well. I've

[37:20] made it clear, I think. Property tax, that's theft. But we live in a state

[37:24] that that's how municipalities function, unfortunately.

[37:28] I have a hard time raising any taxes, especially after seeing people get their

[37:33] sewer bills that go from $53 a month to $313

[37:39] in a month and in the same year a water raise

[37:44] even though that was approved a while ago.

[37:48] And now we're asking for additional um

[37:52] I think we can do better. Um I have a hard time approving an extra

[37:57] position for parks and rec when I see

[38:01] some of our employees posting Tik Tok videos

[38:05] um while at work. Um

[38:09] It's not a good per- It's not perceived well by the citizens

[38:12] when they send me these and show me these videos.

[38:16] Um So I'm kind of upset about that. Um I

[38:21] know it's not a lot, it's $21 a year. It's like a guzzle drink a day. Um,

[38:26] but it's hard to ask with everything we've already asked for from the

[38:29] citizens to add more um, to their plate.

[38:44] » I am not a fan of raising the tax rate either. I think the problem is we have

[38:48] put this off for so long. I think it was I think it was 2000 I think it's been 16

[38:53] years so 2010 with >> I confirmed last time it was raised was

[38:55] 2009. >> Nine, okay. So, I mean, that's what's

[38:58] got us here. It's the same problem with the sewer that should have been done.

[39:01] So, it's like I feel like we made the best we did the best we could to try and

[39:05] get it as low as possible, but still adding something. So, so in the future

[39:09] we don't end up with a jump in the sewer rate like three times as much. I mean,

[39:13] if we end up you know, if we keep not doing it, we're going to end up where we

[39:16] have to it's going to be 84% at some point. So, I think we did I mean, we

[39:20] spent hours on this trying to go through and in my opinion I I I know we need

[39:23] parks. I like the parks. In my opinion, public safety is more important. I think

[39:26] we do need more officers. I don't know anything about Tik Tok videos or

[39:29] anything like that. I think all of our employees are from what I've seen are

[39:32] doing a good job, but I mean, obviously there's could be issues, but I I think

[39:37] that every department has been told no. Every

[39:40] except for the parks which you know, >> Well, and to and to be fair to that

[39:44] even, the parks had a a lot of things that they were in need of and this was

[39:48] just the only thing that was >> Yeah, so I feel like I mean, we

[39:51] literally cut out everything. We told everybody else. I mean, more police

[39:55] officers, more more funding, you know, for

[39:58] public works, for all of that. And I know all of them said they were running

[40:01] lean. And so, uh, you know, this is what And I think it just helps us moving

[40:06] forward so we don't have to have that giant increase eventually. And so,

[40:09] yeah, I mean, I have to pay it too and it sucks, but and it does it it it is

[40:14] hard after we just did the sewer and and let the water rates were already

[40:17] increasing. I got my bill too and was like, oh, here it is, you know, and so

[40:20] it wasn't fun. But I mean, I think this is the minimum

[40:24] we can do right now to to mitigate what we have going forward

[40:28] because I think we've gotten to where we are because we've been living with

[40:32] outside of our means. So, that's what

[40:35] » Well, and and relying on savings that we no longer have.

[40:38] » Yeah, that we can't always count on, you know, so

[40:45] » Jeff or Rhett, either of you have anything you'd like to state?

[40:48] » I don't think I need to say anything else other than and you guys there might

[40:51] be plenty that disagree with me, but another thing in the future that would

[40:56] really help us dollar wise is businesses.

[41:00] Businesses bring in um

[41:02] » [clears throat] >> uh

[41:03] point of sales tax revenue to the city that would offset any huge increase in

[41:10] in taxes, so um

[41:14] yeah, I mean, you can disagree with me, that's fine, but that is a just just

[41:19] looking to the future. Um I think we've got a business district

[41:24] set up, which we haven't had my entire I've lived here my entire life.

[41:29] Um it's there. It'll be interesting to see what that develops into in the next

[41:35] few years, but that could really benefit um

[41:40] benefit us as as far as the budget goes. That's the only other thought that came

[41:44] to my mind, so. >> Okay.

[41:47] Rhett, do you have anything you'd like to add?

[41:49] » I've said plenty during the course of this process.

[41:52] » Okay. >> So, I think I'm

[41:54] I'm good. I'll I'll just reiterate just one thing that Jeff just said and

[41:59] you know, a big line item on the revenue side of of

[42:02] of our um budget is sales tax and I'll agree with you there. I mean, there

[42:09] are municipalities um

[42:12] and obviously they're in the Salt Lake Valley that don't have property taxes.

[42:16] They don't They don't charge their citizens that.

[42:19] It's because they have all those businesses and everyone flocks to those

[42:22] businesses, so um

[42:26] encourage [clears throat] our residents to to um

[42:30] to shop here locally as much as they can. We are getting

[42:33] you know, as I'll be at the grocery store's moving, but we are getting a new

[42:36] hardware store in in line with that, and there'll be other amenities that that

[42:39] come later on, and in our next meeting we'll

[42:43] I think we'll certainly see, you know, some movement

[42:46] um further down on Main Street and and some other areas that we can

[42:50] » Right. >> garner some some sales tax. So, it's not

[42:53] like we're we're not trying to to bring those businesses in. I think we're we've

[42:57] got a very pro-business and a very pro-friendly council and mayor, so.

[43:03] That is somewhat where it is at. I mean, that

[43:06] to me, looking at the at the sheet here, that that's

[43:09] a million dollars more than the property taxes that we actually get is sales tax

[43:13] revenue. So, and I get it, it's another way to

[43:16] tax, right? But that's that's that's that's the name of the game,

[43:20] right? So, all our dollars that go to the east

[43:24] to Tooele um

[43:26] » or around the mountain to Salt Lake. >> Or around the mountain to Costco.

[43:29] » Yep. >> Which I think we're probably all guilty

[43:31] of that, right? So.

[43:35] » Anyways. Okay, I said too much. I said I wasn't

[43:38] going to say anything. >> [laughter]

[43:42] » Any other discussion we would like to have, or was there somebody that would

[43:45] like to make a motion?

[43:50] » I don't remember the resolution. Can we put it back on the screen?

[43:53] » [laughter] >> Okay.

[43:57] » Sorry, I don't have it. >> No, you're good.

[44:10] » You can pick the green one if you want. It's the same already.

[44:13] » So >> No, yeah.

[44:15] » the full thing or just that? >> Just this.

[44:18] If you want. >> Okay.

[44:20] Thank you.

[44:23] » I motion that we approve resolution 2026/59

[44:26] approving a property tax increase and loving the property tax rate for the

[44:30] fiscal year 2027 as described. >> We have a motion by council member

[44:35] Skinner. Is there a second? >> I'll second.

[44:37] » A second by council member Butler. All in favor.

[44:40] » I. I. >> All opposed.

[44:43] » Nay. >> I'll do a roll call. Butler.

[44:45] » Yay. >> Thomas.

[44:47] » Yay. >> Dalton.

[44:48] » Nay. >> Skinner.

[44:49] » Yay. >> Williams.

[44:50] » Yay. >> Okay. That um

[44:53] That is a majority, so that will pass. It has not been a fun process, but

[44:59] um here we are and we're doing the best we can to take things down to the very

[45:04] minimum that we can to keep our city running and we're grateful to all of our

[45:08] city staff who is doing everything on a very minimal budget. So, thank you to

[45:13] all of our staff members. We do appreciate you.

[45:15] Um with that being said, we that is the

[45:18] only item we were allowed to discuss tonight. So, can I get a motion to

[45:22] adjourn? >> May I make a motion we adjourn?

[45:26] » A motion by council member Butler. Is there a second?

[45:29] » Second. >> Second by council member Williams. All

[45:32] in favor. >> I.

[45:33] » Thank you. And thank you to the public for being here tonight.

[45:38] » I was only here for the tax.

08/05/2026 Grantsville City Truth in Taxation Public Hearing Meeting

Transcript