[0:00] All right, welcome to the August 5th, 2026 North Logan City Council Truth and

[0:05] Taxation meeting. Um, we will excuse Kenny tonight in person, but I believe

[0:11] he is going to participate um online or at least here online. Um

[0:19] we will start with our budget officer statement that the tentative budget

[0:23] includes a pro proposed property tax rate increase.

[0:34] Okay. For the fiscal year 2026 2027 budget in accordance with the

[0:39] requirements of the state of Utah truth and taxation law. I hereby state that

[0:44] the interim budget for North Logan City for the fiscal year 2026 to 2027 has

[0:51] prep been prepared in compliance with with applicable provisions of the Utah

[0:56] Truth and Taxation Law and reflects a thorough evaluation of anticipated

[1:01] revenues, expenditures, and the operational needs of the city. As

[1:05] required by law, a property tax impact schedule has been prepared and is

[1:11] included with this budget. North Logan City is considering a

[1:15] general fund property tax increase of approximately 7.5%

[1:21] and a 10% library fund property tax increase which is projected to be a

[1:26] total 7.89% 89% property tax increase and is expected to

[1:32] generate an additional 139,615

[1:37] in additional adorum tax revenue which consists of $93,812

[1:45] from the general fund increase and $45,83

[1:51] from the library fund increase. The estimated impact to an average residents

[1:58] of $659,000 home

[2:04] is approximately $28.99 annual increase comprised of $1945

[2:12] from the general fund increase and $9.54 from the library fund increase. And the

[2:20] in estimated impact to an average commercial property of 2,544,465

[2:32] is approximately $23.74

[2:36] annual increase, which would be comprised of $136.70

[2:43] from the general fund increase and $674 from the library fund increase.

[2:52] The property tax impact schedule also outlines the operational impact if the

[2:57] proposed increase is adopted which includes for the general fund

[3:03] operations. The use would be $32,318

[3:08] for police department to provide competitive salary increases to current

[3:14] officers for retention purposes.

[3:19] and $61,494

[3:22] for Logan City Fire Department to help meet the contract rate increase for this

[3:29] fiscal year. And then for the library fund operations, the $45,83

[3:38] would be to cover the new community center utilities and provide some

[3:43] community programs in the community center. In compliance with truth and

[3:48] taxation requirements, the city provided notice of and has conducted one public

[3:53] hearing in this past June and is conducting the second required public

[4:00] hearing tonight as required by law where members of the public will have an

[4:04] opportunity to comment on the proposed budget and the proposed property tax

[4:08] increase and instructions for the virtual participation has been posted

[4:13] online for more than 24 hours. It's actually been posted online since June

[4:18] 24th

[4:24] and the public hearing is in the North Logan City Council Chambers 2525 North

[4:30] 600 East North Logan, Utah 84341. And based on the best information

[4:36] currently available, the budget is is designed to maintain essential public

[4:41] services, address rising operational costs, and support the long-term

[4:45] financial stability of [clears throat] North Logan City. Respectfully

[4:49] submitted, Scott Bennett, budget officer, North Logan City, August 5th,

[4:54] 2026. >> Thank you, Scott. All right, we'll move

[4:57] on to our second agenda item. This is a separate item notifying the public that

[5:01] an executive officer or budget officer Scott um of the North Logan City Taxing

[5:06] Entity intends to state in the public meeting that the tenative budget

[5:09] includes a proposed property tax increase. Um then we will move on to

[5:15] consider a property tax impact schedule that is separate from all other budget

[5:18] documents and Scott Eerson you have that to pre present. [clears throat]

[5:23] » So the property tax impact schedule uh was approved back in June and it's

[5:31] been updated slightly because we've now got the actual rates from the the

[5:38] certifier rates from the county. So, North Logan City will consider an

[5:46] increase to its property tax rate to increase I mean to generate an

[5:50] additional $139,615.

[5:55] The following information is intended to provide decision makers and the public

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

[6:04] property tax rate remains

[6:07] uh if it's adopted. [snorts]

[6:11] The current general operations property tax rate is currently 0.00746

[6:22] which is uh proposed to generate1,31,432

[6:32] and the library operations property tax rate is currently

[6:38] 0.00273 which is expected to generate $476,261.

[6:50] The North Logan estimated rate increase and additional advorum tax revenue.

[6:58] The general operations property tax rate is expected to

[7:04] uh be 7.5%

[7:09] which would generate $93,812.

[7:14] And the library operations property tax rate is expected to be

[7:20] uh 10% should the increase be adopted to

[7:26] generate an additional $45,83.

[7:32] And again, the G general operations increase to an average residence of

[7:38] $659,000

[7:42] would be uh $1945.

[7:48] And the library operations increase would be $9.54

[7:53] for a total of $28.99. And a general operations increase to an

[7:59] average commercial property of 2,544,465

[8:06] is expected to be gen to increase $136.70.

[8:13] And the library operations increase for the commercial average commercial

[8:18] property should generate an additional uh $674

[8:26] for a total increase for a commercial property of $23.74.

[8:35] And that is expected to be an average 7.89%

[8:40] increase.

[8:44] The affected departments for the general fund would be the police department of

[8:49] which the budget would the budget increase would be $32,318

[8:58] to provide prevent pro competitive salary increases to current officers for

[9:04] for retention purposes. and the fire department, which would receive $61,494

[9:13] to be able to meet Logan City Fire Department's contract rate increase.

[9:20] And then the library fund

[9:25] of increase of $45,83 would be to used to cover the new

[9:31] community center utilities and provide some community center programs in the

[9:36] community center. So the public

[9:41] truth and taxation hearing is tonight which has already started and all of

[9:47] this information can be found on our website has been posted in the city

[9:54] offices and the North Park Police Department and can be found online at

[10:01] public meeting notice website.

[10:05] » Okay, thank you Scott. All right, we will move on to item number four, a

[10:12] public hearing to receive public input on the proposed fiscal year 2027

[10:17] municipal budget that contains a proper proposed property tax increase to both

[10:21] the general operations property tax rate and the library operations property tax

[10:26] rate. The city council may consider approval of a resolution following the

[10:29] public hearing adopting the official 2027 fiscal year budget which may

[10:33] include a proposed property tax increase to both the general operations property

[10:37] tax rate and the library operations property tax rate. All right. Um with

[10:43] that I will open up the public hearing but I will first read these rules for

[10:49] speaking at a public hearing. Before you begin please state your name for the

[10:53] record. Speak into the microphone so your comments can be recorded. Limit

[10:56] your statements to three minutes. You're not allowed to combine or bank minutes

[11:00] to speak on behalf of others. Please phrase your opinions in the form of

[11:03] statements, not questions. A public hearing is your opportunity to express

[11:07] your opinions to the city council, not a time to ask questions of or to expect

[11:11] dialogue between yourself and the council or city staff. Please address

[11:14] your comments to the council, not to the public. The council may ask questions

[11:17] about your comments in order for them to better understand you. In the future,

[11:21] note that if you have questions or need to discuss an issue, you may meet with

[11:23] the city council members or appropriate city staff member before the public

[11:27] hearing where dialogue can take place. You may provide a written statement as

[11:30] your input for a hearing. You may read your entire statement or summarize it

[11:34] with the threeminut limit still applicable. You may provide a copy of a

[11:37] written statement to the city recorder. He will make copies for the city council

[11:40] and the written statement will become a part of the public record. However, the

[11:44] written submitted statement will not be included in the minutes of the meeting

[11:47] for this truth and taxation hearing. There's also access for the public

[11:50] electronically through an audio and v video connection via zoom. This

[11:54] electronic zoom link zoom access link has been provided in the public meeting

[11:58] notice and on the agenda of this meeting. Members of the public may

[12:00] provide oral testimony through video audio or both video and audio connection

[12:06] and submit written comments electronically for inclusion in the

[12:09] public record both before and during the public hearing. If you would like to

[12:13] provide written comments, please make sure you email those to

[12:16] recorder@northoganscity.gov before or during the public hearing.

[12:19] With that, I will open up the public hearing um for comments on this matter.

[12:33] My name is Cindy Beaston. I spoke out at the last one we had. Um and I just want

[12:39] to go on record. Um even though um I appreciate you um giving information

[12:46] about how we compare with other cities in um Cash Valley. I want to go on

[12:52] record and saying even though the tax increase you propose is minimal. I'm not

[12:58] opposed to firefighters and policemen getting raises and things like that, but

[13:03] I think as a city that um we need to be aware of the

[13:10] hard financial times that people are facing between housing, food, and uh gas

[13:16] prices, etc. And we should be looking at other ways that we can trim the budget

[13:21] so that we don't have to do a tax increase.

[13:26] That's all. Thank you, Miss Houston.

[13:34] » I thought there would be more people. My name is Doug Yawker. I've lived in

[13:39] North Logan for approximately 56 of my 70 years. And again, thank you for your

[13:45] service. Um, I want to make some similar comments. I'm somewhat opposed to the

[13:50] 7.9% tax increase. I mean, in my career, I've managed multi-million dollar

[13:55] budgets. I understand, you know, increases in wages, but I also

[14:00] understand being judicious and careful about the money being spent. I'm now

[14:06] maybe more concerned. I live on a fixed budget. I'm on social security

[14:11] and uh I did a little math over the last eight years. I have averaged a 3.85%

[14:18] increase in my revenue. But we all know gas hasn't done that. Eggs haven't done

[14:25] that. Bread hasn't done that. The other thing to take into account, when I

[14:30] bought my home here, you know, 37 years ago, it was valued at $60,000

[14:38] and then there was tax on that. Well, today that home, and I know that's not

[14:42] your issue, is valued at $580,000. Almost a tenfold increase. So, you take

[14:50] that into account, it's not just a 7.9% tax increase. Uh, you know, the county

[14:58] has grown by 50% in the last, I think, like

[15:05] 20 years. And I'm sure North Logan has probably done better than that. And so,

[15:10] there's a lot more people. I mean, my neighborhoods have gone crazy. I think

[15:16] those people are all paying taxes. So when you need more money, when you have

[15:21] a lot more people with a lot more bigger houses, I think there's some very

[15:27] interesting dynamics, you know, that that creates the city some budget. And

[15:33] you know when Scott was talking about it's only you know x amount of money you

[15:38] know and I think well it doesn't sound like a lot but as I said when you add

[15:44] all those other things that we're paying for and maybe I'm speaking mostly to

[15:49] those like me that are on fixed incomes you know that I don't work in a business

[15:54] anymore where I can expect more you know than a a measly increase from the

[16:00] government and I'm grateful for that. But anyway, thank you for your service,

[16:04] but please take into account. There needs to be some way to reflect those

[16:10] people who, you know, bought homes a long time ago when they were affordable.

[16:15] And as those home prices have gone up, up and up, even though that tax amount

[16:20] is a small number, you know, my home's worth, they say,

[16:25] 10 times more than I bought it for. So, thank you for your

[16:29] » Thank you, Mr. Yunker.

[16:39] Hi, my name is Tim Tolbert. Um, I'd like to uh kind of continue on with some of

[16:45] the other things that that Doug and others have said. Uh, last year I own

[16:50] three properties in North Logan. Last year, one of my properties was

[16:56] reassessed and my property taxes increased at the county level 67%.

[17:02] The other property, which is a vacant building lot, increased by 120%.

[17:08] Okay, so in addition to the county increases, the reassessing values, um,

[17:17] then we're adding 10% on top of 120%. So, it's not really 7%, it's more like

[17:23] 14% for me. Um, the other thing that I'd like to point

[17:28] out is I feel like

[17:32] I appreciate the work that you guys do, but I also feel like to some degree

[17:37] there's a disdain for the average citizens here because we're seeing a lot

[17:41] of um things happening like tax increases that were told weren't

[17:47] supposed to happen. we're seeing um municipal projects pushed through

[17:53] despite opposition. Um and so I think that in addition to this is just a

[17:58] symptom of a larger problem where you're not listening to to the citizenry. I

[18:03] think like we red we redid our master plan. We redid our zoning. We redid red

[18:08] we did all we redid all of the municipal code and we say we're listening to the

[18:13] residents. But when the residents come in here and they oppose something like

[18:18] this tax increase, I don't necessarily see the the kind of traction that I

[18:22] would expect and the consideration that I would expect you guys to be listening

[18:26] to. Um, like I said, in my particular case, I'm paying a lot probably double

[18:32] to triple the amount of tax money to the county and the city that I did when I

[18:37] first moved here. That's the kind of thing that's going to make people think

[18:40] twice about staying here or inviting others to live here as well. You'll lose

[18:45] your existing residence. Maybe that's something you want. I don't know, but I

[18:50] think you should consider that. >> Thanks, Mr. Tolbert.

[18:55] Okay. Um, Scott, can you are you going to be able to manage the Zoom

[18:59] participants? Like you can can you allow them to speak

[19:03] or is it

[19:09] » Yeah. >> As far as I know, no one has requested

[19:13] to speak over Zoom, but I do have an email.

[19:16] » Okay. >> Um, I will let's go with the um Zoom

[19:20] participants. If you would like to speak, now is the time.

[19:31] Okay. I don't see any. Um I have it pulled up on my screen as well. Um

[19:36] Scott, why don't you in the meantime read any emails that you've received?

[19:41] » Okay. I've received one email. This is from Janet Forbush.

[19:46] I am unable to attend due to health issues. I wish this to be read during

[19:50] the public hearing. First off, these taxation meetings should not be held at

[19:56] this time of the year, right after the July 4th and 24th celebrations,

[20:02] vacations, and during the busiest time of the year. It is not the job of the

[20:07] citizens of North Logan to be held responsible for the burden of bad

[20:11] decisions, both past and present, that the city council has made. You are

[20:16] forcing the private citizens to figure out how to come up with those extra

[20:21] funds with no regards to th to all those that are struggling in this economy. You

[20:28] state that $93,812 is for the general fund operations going

[20:34] towards the police and Logan City fire departments and $45,83

[20:42] will be going to the library fund increase. My questions are one, how are

[20:48] we assured that the total amounts for the general fund operations will

[20:53] actually end up going towards the police and fire departments? Or is this an

[20:59] example of bait and switch? Two, if $45,83

[21:05] is going towards the community center, why was it built if the city can't

[21:11] afford to keep the lights on? Three, North Logan City wants to provide

[21:17] for more community programs. When will this ever stop? I submit that it will be

[21:23] this way every year. Your job is to save the taxpayers money. Quit spending money

[21:30] like there is a neverending supply. That's the end.

[21:35] » Okay. Thank you. Any other email submissions?

[21:44] No additional emails. >> Okay. I'm going to give the people on

[21:48] Zoom another chance to participate before I close the public hearing. Is

[21:54] there anyone online that would like to participate?

[21:57] » I guess you could. >> Hello. Um this is Suzanne Clissold.

[22:05] Can you hear me? >> I can. Yep. You're you're [laughter]

[22:08] on. >> Great. Uh my husband Matt and I um were

[22:11] not able to attend, but we also wanted to just publicly say that we're opposed

[22:15] to the tax increase for this the reasons that have already been stated. Um that

[22:20] people on fixed incomes uh it's a burden, a financial burden that these

[22:26] taxes continue to rise year after year um as our property values increase. And

[22:34] we would just like to see the city find city, county, I know it's not just the

[22:38] city, but um find other ways to raise revenue without it being property taxes.

[22:47] Thank you. Thanks, Miss Clizalt. Okay. Um we Anyone else who'd like to

[22:56] speak before we close the public hearing?

[23:04] Okay, seeing and hearing none, I will close the public hearing. And council,

[23:09] it is now your chance to determine whether we're going to take action on

[23:14] this item tonight.

[23:23] Is there any opportunity to talk about items that were shared today or do we

[23:29] just go straight to Unless

[23:35] » unless they're specific, >> these items were specific to the truth

[23:38] and taxation meeting that were talked about. So

[23:41] » yeah, it's just risky if you go off topic in any way, shape, or form.

[23:44] » Off topic. I mean, >> off of property tax specifically.

[23:48] » Fair enough. And the the property tax as related to our budget would seem

[23:53] » No, just property tax. >> Just property tax.

[23:56] » Yeah, they've been the increases have been invalidated. if there's any sort of

[24:01] » That's why I'm asking. >> Yeah. So, it it's it's unfortunate

[24:04] because, you know, we want to be as transparent as possible. I would love to

[24:09] address um a lot of these comments and hope to talk with you personally about

[24:14] that. Um but I think this is just a we have to keep it on um property tax

[24:19] discussion exclusively.

[24:23] So, um does do we have a motion on this?

[24:29] Yeah, I will motion to approve the resolution following and adopting the

[24:33] official 2027 fiscal year budget which does include a property tax increase to

[24:38] both general operations property tax rate and the library operations property

[24:41] tax rate. >> All right. Motion by Buzzy. Second.

[24:44] Second by Emily. Any further discussion on this?

[24:48] All in favor? I. Any >> Kenny, you got an eye on that?

[24:55] » Yeah. >> Yes. Hi.

[24:57] » Okay. Thank you for participating remotely. That motion passes

[25:00] unanimously. Um I would now entertain a motion to

[25:06] » motion by Buzzy, second by Emily. All in favor? I.

[25:09] » Any opposed? Okay, that motion passes.

City Council 2026-08-05 - Public Hearing regarding Property Tax Increase

Transcript