[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.