1 00:01:59,920 --> 00:13:49,270 Mhm. 2 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:50,560 » Our dear heavenly father, as we come 3 00:13:50,560 --> 00:13:52,320 before thee this evening, we're so very 4 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:53,600 grateful that we have the opportunity to 5 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:56,200 gather here and discuss the needs of the 6 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:57,600 city and 7 00:13:57,600 --> 00:13:59,240 the area around us. Father, we ask that 8 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:01,320 we may be able to discuss the issues 9 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,360 before us and in a peaceful and civil 10 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:04,760 manner and that we may be able to make 11 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,040 the best decisions for the citizens in 12 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:08,280 this area. 13 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:10,320 We're thankful for all those who 14 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,080 serve our country and to our local area, 15 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,320 our firefighters and our sheriffs, and 16 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:16,600 we ask you to watch over and protect 17 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:17,640 them and 18 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:19,200 help them to return return home in 19 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:20,280 safety. 20 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:23,040 We pray for moisture that we need so 21 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:25,080 desperately in this area and throughout 22 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,240 the state that we may have the water we 23 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:29,200 stand in need of. Again, we're thankful 24 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:30,720 for all that we have and we love thee 25 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,080 and we say these things in thy son Jesus 26 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:35,110 Christ. Amen. 27 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:37,720 » Okay, thank you, Councilman 28 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:40,240 Petty and Councilman Halverson, we 29 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:41,880 appreciate that 30 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:43,680 very much. We're here this evening for 31 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,480 one item, only, and that's a public 32 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:49,600 hearing on proposed tax increase. 33 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,560 Uh before we get into that, we need to 34 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,520 read the following statement that is 35 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:57,160 required by state. 36 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:58,800 If the proposed tax increase is 37 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:03,000 approved, South Weber would receive an additional $12,046 38 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:05,520 in property tax revenue. Those funds 39 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:07,440 would be distributed across departments 40 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:10,200 and used specifically for the following: 41 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,360 court supplies, administrative 42 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:15,920 equipment, public safety, emergency 43 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:17,480 preparation, 44 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:19,960 fire uniforms, training, equipment, 45 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:22,360 supplies, and maintenance, building and 46 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:25,360 grounds maintenance, and equipment. 47 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,840 Community services, community events, 48 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,080 abatements, equipment. 49 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:32,720 Streets, building and ground 50 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:34,040 maintenance. 51 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:40,270 Parking engineering fees. 52 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:41,800 So, with that, 53 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:44,440 uh we've got, like I said, one item. So, 54 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,560 we look for a motion to open public 55 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:48,520 hearing on proposed 56 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:52,160 tax increase for 2026. 57 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:54,320 >> Move to open the public hearing. 58 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:55,760 >> Second it. 59 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:57,680 >> I have a motion second by Councilwoman 60 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:58,800 Petty. 61 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:00,240 Uh 62 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:01,720 what we would like if anyone would like 63 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:03,160 to come up, 64 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:06,000 public hearing is open. Please step up 65 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,440 to the podium, 66 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,680 uh state your name and city, and we'll 67 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:11,480 allow you 3 minutes 68 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,320 for comments, and please uh address the 69 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:16,480 entire council. 70 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:18,560 >> Mayor, can we have a vote? 71 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:20,720 >> Just to dot the eyes. 72 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:22,680 >> With a first and a second, let's emotion 73 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:23,440 all in favor. 74 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:24,600 >> Oh, I didn't I do that? 75 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:26,440 >> No, it's okay. 76 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:28,520 >> All those that are in favor of opening 77 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:31,920 the public hearing, say I. I. I. Sorry 78 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:33,120 about that. Bye. 79 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:33,640 >> Thank you. 80 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:35,920 >> Jumping the gun here. Okay. 81 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:37,720 Public hearing is open. 82 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:39,640 Anybody have some comments, please come 83 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:41,760 up. 84 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:43,360 >> I've got young women's in a few, so I 85 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:45,040 thought I'd be up. 86 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:46,800 And I just have to say, oh, Amy 87 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,720 Mitchell, 1923 Darren Drive. I'm super 88 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:51,680 disappointed that like this room isn't 89 00:16:51,680 --> 00:16:53,360 just filled with residents concerned, 90 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:55,120 and I would want to go knock on all 91 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:56,839 their doors, but 92 00:16:56,839 --> 00:16:58,360 we don't have time to do that. 93 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,800 Okay. Um I'm here tonight because I'm 94 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:02,440 concerned that we continue to look for 95 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:04,680 ways to increase tax revenue instead of 96 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,240 first asking a much simpler question, 97 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:10,240 where can we reduce spending spending? 98 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:12,360 Families in South Weber have to live 99 00:17:12,360 --> 00:17:14,280 within a budget. When our expenses 100 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:16,360 increase, we don't automatically get to 101 00:17:16,360 --> 00:17:19,360 increase our income. We prioritize. We 102 00:17:19,360 --> 00:17:21,120 postpone things that we would like to 103 00:17:21,120 --> 00:17:23,640 have. We cut back, and I believe our 104 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:25,680 city should be expected to to do the 105 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:28,360 same before acting before asking 106 00:17:28,360 --> 00:17:30,840 residents to pay more. 107 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:32,520 For years, residents have been told that 108 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,280 commercial development will strengthen 109 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,280 our tax tax base. We brought in the RV 110 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:38,760 center, and now we are adding a 111 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:41,560 development like Quilt Quick Trip, and 112 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:43,160 even more on South Weber Drive with the 113 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,200 townhouse development. If this 114 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:46,800 commercial growth is generating the 115 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:48,960 additional revenue we were promised, 116 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:51,000 when do residents actually get to see 117 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:52,520 the benefits? 118 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:54,920 At the same time, we continue to spend. 119 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:58,280 We've seen an approximately 11% raise 120 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:00,640 for our city manager, another raise for 121 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,200 our city planner, and a roughly $9 122 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:05,840 million public works complex, and money 123 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:08,080 spent in installing towers for the 124 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,960 city's water meter reading system. Maybe 125 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:12,840 there is a justification for each one of 126 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:15,120 these expenditures, but at some point, 127 00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:16,520 we have to stop looking at them 128 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:18,040 individually and look at the bigger 129 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,560 picture. Do we need all of this right 130 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:21,520 now? 131 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:23,520 There's a difference between a city what 132 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:25,960 a city needs to function well and what 133 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:28,200 would simply be nice to have. South 134 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:30,160 Weber is a small community. We don't 135 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,280 need to fund every dream, every new 136 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:34,920 project, or every idea simply because 137 00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:36,480 someone believes it would improve the 138 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:37,680 city. 139 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:38,920 And I think we need to remember 140 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,240 something else. City staff work for the 141 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:43,440 residents of South Weber. The residents 142 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:45,800 do not work for the city. Our elected 143 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,680 official officials should be setting 144 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:49,720 priorities based on what the people who 145 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:52,600 live here need and can afford, not 146 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:54,280 feeling pressured into continually 147 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:57,080 expanding budgets, projects, facilities, 148 00:18:57,080 --> 00:18:59,120 salaries, or programs because staff 149 00:18:59,120 --> 00:19:01,640 recommends them. Before raising property 150 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:03,960 taxes, I would like to see the city go 151 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:05,800 through its budget line by line and tell 152 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,120 residents what has been cut, what has 153 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:12,240 been postponed, what projects have been 154 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:14,440 scaled back and what expenses have been 155 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,880 determined to be unnecessary? I would 156 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,320 also like transparency about any tax 157 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:21,480 incentives or financial concessions 158 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,200 being offered to encourage businesses or 159 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:26,520 developers to build here. 160 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:28,520 If we're giving away future tax revenue 161 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:29,920 to attract development while 162 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,480 simultaneously asking existing residents 163 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:34,720 to pay more, taxpayers deserve to 164 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:37,000 understand that equation. A truth in 165 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,080 taxation hearing shouldn't be 166 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:42,040 shouldn't only be about explaining why 167 00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:44,360 the city needs more money. It should 168 00:19:44,360 --> 00:19:46,800 also be about distri- 169 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:49,080 demonstrating that the city has made 170 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:51,120 every reasonable effort to need less 171 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:52,240 money. 172 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:54,040 Residents are already paying more for 173 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:55,920 groceries, insurance, utilities, 174 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,320 housing, and nearly everything else. 175 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:00,440 We don't get a raise. 176 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:02,520 We don't get to raise our income by 5, 177 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,880 10, or 11% simply because our expenses 178 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:08,200 increased. We have to make choices and 179 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:09,920 live within our means. I'm asking the 180 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,400 city to do the same. Focus on essential 181 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:14,120 services, take care of what we already 182 00:20:14,120 --> 00:20:16,640 have, use the commercial tax base we 183 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:18,920 were promised, and be willing to say no 184 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:20,720 to projects that can wait. And most 185 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,480 importantly, remember who ultimately 186 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:24,680 pays the bill. The first solution to a 187 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:27,320 budget problem should not always be more 188 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:29,400 revenue. Sometimes the responsible 189 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:31,760 solution is less spending. 190 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:33,800 I would also like you to I would also 191 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,080 like to ask for a comparison to other 192 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,600 cities of our same size. How many 193 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:40,600 employees do they have? How many are 194 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:43,280 full-time? How many are part-time? What 195 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:45,560 do they get by with? I know that a lot 196 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:47,640 of cities around us have a bigger tax 197 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:50,000 revenue that we do than we do, 198 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:51,840 but we still should live within our 199 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:53,960 means. And that's what I'm asking for 200 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:55,920 tonight. Thank you. 201 00:20:55,920 --> 00:21:08,750 >> Thank you. 202 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:11,400 » Michael Grant, 2622 Deer Run Drive, 203 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:12,840 South Weber. 204 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,840 Um, I appreciate Amy's comments. Um, 205 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:18,600 I do want you, the City Council, to know 206 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:19,880 that um 207 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:23,720 if um we attend the meeting here 208 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:25,680 after meeting, handful meeting after 209 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:27,160 handful meeting, every single one of 210 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:28,080 them, 211 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:31,680 I have noticed that you guys do go line 212 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:35,240 by line trying to reduce the cost, not 213 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:37,960 add more expenses, retain the good staff 214 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:40,560 that we have by paying them 215 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:42,840 competitive market rates, otherwise they 216 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:44,880 will leave, and that makes things even 217 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:47,840 harder. So, your effort has not gone 218 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:49,720 unnoticed. Of course, there's always 219 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:51,400 room for improvement, and we should keep 220 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,160 trying. Thank you. 221 00:21:53,160 --> 00:22:05,870 >> Thanks, Michael. 222 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:11,310 » Anyone else? 223 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:13,400 Okay, there's no other comments. We'll 224 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:15,360 look for a motion to close the public 225 00:22:15,360 --> 00:22:17,080 hearing. 226 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:18,760 >> Motion to close the public hearing. 227 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:20,920 >> Second. 228 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:22,080 >> All in favor, say aye. 229 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:26,310 >> Aye. 230 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:29,040 » Okay, uh we'd like Dave and Brett if 231 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:30,160 they would 232 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:36,350 give us a lead-in here. 233 00:22:36,360 --> 00:22:38,520 » This is going to pull up just a couple 234 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:40,640 of slides that I have here prepared just 235 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:43,280 as kind of background information 236 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:47,760 uh for the public about the process and 237 00:22:47,760 --> 00:22:49,960 uh property taxes in general and what 238 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:53,550 this specifically is for the city. 239 00:22:53,550 --> 00:22:54,040 >> [clears throat] 240 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:56,240 >> There's really only uh only 241 00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:59,120 five quick slides. Uh the first is a is 242 00:22:59,120 --> 00:23:02,000 a overview of how property taxes work in 243 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,360 Utah, and we've talked about this before 244 00:23:04,360 --> 00:23:08,080 but the idea of the state's goal to 245 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:10,120 essential or the philosophy of property 246 00:23:10,120 --> 00:23:12,240 taxes is to have the city receive the 247 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:15,920 same amount of revenue year after year 248 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:19,640 and the equation of the property rate 249 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:23,040 times the property value in the city 250 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:25,280 equals the revenue that we receive as a 251 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:33,480 city and the constant is the revenue we receive. So as values change the rate 252 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:35,720 automatically adjusts 253 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:37,920 so that the city receives that same 254 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:39,160 value 255 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:41,200 unless there's a conscious decision by 256 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:44,080 the council to hold that rate or to do 257 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:45,880 something different with that rate than 258 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:48,680 what the county suggests to us through 259 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:50,960 the certified tax rate process. So that 260 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:52,720 teeter-totter effect 261 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:56,760 does happen and and that is what we talk 262 00:23:56,760 --> 00:23:57,960 about every year as we go through the 263 00:23:57,960 --> 00:23:59,400 budget process. 264 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:01,360 This year we've had the discussion to 265 00:24:01,360 --> 00:24:04,120 this point of holding the rate as it is 266 00:24:04,120 --> 00:24:06,360 rather than letting it decrease just a 267 00:24:06,360 --> 00:24:07,760 little bit. 268 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:09,040 Um 269 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,600 there's also a small element of 270 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:13,760 additional property that has been 271 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:15,640 developed additional growth within the 272 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:16,840 city 273 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:20,080 to the tune of about $30,000 274 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:22,640 this year and the estimated revenues 275 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,280 from last year to this year with the 276 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:28,240 same rate that we've talked about. 277 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:31,080 That .001434 278 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:33,520 is the rate that we had last year the 279 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:35,880 certified tax rate was proposed by the 280 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:39,000 county at .001421 281 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:42,520 and by holding the rate at 1434 282 00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:45,720 the city would receive $13,000 283 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:48,320 more than what the certified tax rate 284 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:52,360 would provide which is an estimated .99% 285 00:24:52,360 --> 00:24:55,560 so just less than 1% increase is what it 286 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:58,400 is we're talking about. Um 287 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:00,240 the 288 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:04,960 mayor read through what 289 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:06,600 has been talked about of where that 290 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:08,320 money would go. 291 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:12,280 Um ultimately that $13,000 292 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:16,000 as has been discussed would would go to 293 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,800 support transfer for the recreation 294 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:22,440 department and and the tree and trail 295 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:25,120 program at about $2,000 for that and 296 00:25:25,120 --> 00:25:28,040 $11,000 for the 297 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:29,560 It's all right. I'll just talk through 298 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:30,440 it. 299 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:34,080 And and then $11,000 for the for the 300 00:25:34,080 --> 00:25:36,160 transfer for the recreation department 301 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:38,120 to to support rec. 302 00:25:38,120 --> 00:25:40,840 So uh 303 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:42,600 where does that money go or how much is 304 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:45,840 that for each resident? Um the average 305 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:47,400 home price in 306 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:51,200 uh South Weber is 307 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:53,040 $596,000. 308 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:56,800 It ends up being $4.26 309 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,760 for the year as the increase. Um 310 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:03,360 approximately $0.36 per month. 311 00:26:03,360 --> 00:26:06,280 And that's kind of the the main overview 312 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:09,040 or summary right there. 313 00:26:09,040 --> 00:26:10,920 Uh I do have some information in slides 314 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:13,480 of tax rate history and comparison to 315 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:15,760 other cities if if you're interested in 316 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:18,560 seeing those things. Um 317 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:20,320 go to the tax rate history real quick, 318 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:23,390 Lisa. 319 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:24,640 You'll notice there the numbers are 320 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:26,280 really small. It's just presented in two 321 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:28,520 different ways to show 322 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:32,560 uh the actual rate over the last 25-plus 323 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:36,080 years. Uh 1998 until now. And then in 324 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:38,840 graph format you can see how over time 325 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:41,600 the rate has decreased as values have 326 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:44,960 increased. In the early 2010s during the 327 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:47,720 recession as values decreased the rate 328 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:50,000 did increase slightly. But the first 329 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:51,400 time the city went through the truth in 330 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:54,080 taxation process there in 2019 is when 331 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:55,800 you see that big spike. 332 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:57,840 Um and then the philosophy at the time 333 00:26:57,840 --> 00:26:59,840 was to maintain a rate 334 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:03,760 uh in that range so that the 335 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:06,760 value uh and buying power of the city 336 00:27:06,760 --> 00:27:08,800 wouldn't erode over time. 337 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:10,760 And uh 338 00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:12,600 So that's just a graphic representation 339 00:27:12,600 --> 00:27:14,960 of where the city's been over time in 340 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:17,960 our tax rate. And then the the second to 341 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:20,920 last slide there is a comparison of uh 342 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:23,520 cities within Davis County. 343 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:25,800 We're right about in the middle. Uh if 344 00:27:25,800 --> 00:27:29,720 you include the city rates and special 345 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,280 service district rates uh for some of 346 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:34,840 those other cities, then we are near the 347 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:36,360 bottom. We're about the third from the 348 00:27:36,360 --> 00:27:38,760 bottom if you also include some of those 349 00:27:38,760 --> 00:27:39,400 um 350 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:44,120 special service districts for fire and other services that we take on as a 351 00:27:44,120 --> 00:27:46,760 city within our rate. Um but city only 352 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:49,640 rates, that's that's where we're at. 353 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:50,640 So 354 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:52,960 again, last uh last summary is the 355 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:54,480 conversation to this point is hold the 356 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:57,160 rate where it was last year. It gets us 357 00:27:57,160 --> 00:27:59,800 an additional $13,000, which is just 358 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:02,920 under 1% increase. And 359 00:28:02,920 --> 00:28:05,560 uh for a residential property, that's 360 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:07,240 for an average residential property in 361 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:12,190 the city, it's $4.26. 362 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:12,920 Okay. 363 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:14,520 >> Thank you, Dave. 364 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:16,720 Appreciate that. 365 00:28:16,720 --> 00:28:24,230 Comments from the council? 366 00:28:24,240 --> 00:28:29,270 » Guess it's just me. 367 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:30,224 Um 368 00:28:30,224 --> 00:28:31,640 >> [snorts] 369 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,600 >> I want the council to know that I'm 370 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:36,640 um not just trying to be a contrarian or 371 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:38,080 however you say that. 372 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:39,200 Um 373 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:41,400 Like 374 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:43,720 I'm sure I may seem that at times. 375 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:44,840 Um 376 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:46,920 but the reality is 377 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:49,520 I just want to do what's right while I'm 378 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,080 holding this office for the city. 379 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:53,800 And I don't know if I'm doing that or 380 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:55,560 not. So, I'm not saying that I'm doing 381 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:57,720 it right and you guys are wrong. 382 00:28:57,720 --> 00:28:59,480 I just know that 383 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,600 when I sincerely take a look at this and 384 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:03,480 what we are doing and how we are doing 385 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:05,400 our budgeting, 386 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:06,520 um 387 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:08,680 I have problems with it. 388 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:12,200 Um yes, it is $4.26 389 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:15,600 about average for homes here in South 390 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:17,720 Weber that it's going to go up. 391 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:18,695 Um 392 00:29:18,695 --> 00:29:19,040 >> [snorts] 393 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:22,160 >> but that's not our $4.26 that we're 394 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:24,440 requiring from every single person that 395 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:25,640 owns 396 00:29:25,640 --> 00:29:27,840 a house. Is that affordable? Yeah. 397 00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:29,640 That's definitely a trip to Maverick 398 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:31,440 with a candy bar and a drink. 399 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:33,880 But again, 400 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:36,080 if we were looking at our budgeting 401 00:29:36,080 --> 00:29:37,720 correctly 402 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:39,760 or the way I feel about it, 403 00:29:39,760 --> 00:29:41,880 we'd be looking at the long-term 404 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:46,320 consequences of doing these kind of uh 405 00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:48,720 tax increases. 406 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:51,560 We have a uh like Amy said, we have an 407 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:55,760 $8.9 million long-term bondage 408 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:57,680 that we've got to handle. 409 00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:01,680 We are nearing the end of our build-out. 410 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:03,680 Pretty soon, I mean I I as soon as we 411 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:08,080 get some of the properties around the hill over here done, 412 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:09,320 all of the money that we're getting from 413 00:30:09,320 --> 00:30:10,960 build-out, 414 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:12,760 we're not going to have that anymore to 415 00:30:12,760 --> 00:30:15,240 fund this. 416 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:18,400 When you look at our two new businesses, 417 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:20,360 we've got QT coming in, we've got 418 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:22,600 General RV who has been 419 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:23,760 they've told us from the beginning 420 00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:25,160 revenue is going to start and it's going 421 00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:26,880 to keep on increasing. 422 00:30:26,880 --> 00:30:28,960 Um well, the RV industry is going 423 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:30,920 through a reset right now. 424 00:30:30,920 --> 00:30:32,440 Um none of us could know that. They 425 00:30:32,440 --> 00:30:35,760 couldn't know it. Um but this week is 426 00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:37,400 still one of their grand opening sales 427 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:39,240 or one of their yearly sales that 428 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:40,360 they're doing. 429 00:30:40,360 --> 00:30:42,160 So, 430 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:44,440 I think we've done the right thing when 431 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:47,400 it comes to bringing in businesses to 432 00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:49,400 try to take that burden off of the 433 00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:51,200 taxpayers, 434 00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:54,560 but it doesn't change when we have that 435 00:30:54,560 --> 00:30:56,920 much of a debt coming towards us, 436 00:30:56,920 --> 00:30:59,280 and we're still looking at everything 437 00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:02,320 just on a Well, this year, it will only 438 00:31:02,320 --> 00:31:04,440 cost us four bucks. 439 00:31:04,440 --> 00:31:06,760 Um 440 00:31:06,760 --> 00:31:09,830 we have 441 00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:12,080 as a list of things that if we don't pay 442 00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:13,520 for this one, 443 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:14,800 uh 444 00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:16,560 we have 445 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:19,280 public-facing services. 446 00:31:19,280 --> 00:31:20,480 We don't have anything that says, you 447 00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:21,520 know, we're going to slow down on our 448 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:23,080 printer use and go all digital. We don't 449 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:25,800 have And I'm just making things up. 450 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:28,000 When we have things that go, "Okay, 451 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:30,600 these are the things that affect the 452 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:34,440 public, well, let's cut those." 453 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:38,200 And we don't have the A, we're doing a 454 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:40,440 across-the-board 455 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:43,320 sync with all the other cities around us 456 00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:46,640 to try to get us into the middle range. 457 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:49,440 South Weber isn't a middle-range city. 458 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:51,840 I love this city. I love our staff. I 459 00:31:51,840 --> 00:31:53,240 think they deserve it. I 460 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:55,440 think they deserve better than that. 461 00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:56,920 But, 462 00:31:56,920 --> 00:31:58,400 we 463 00:31:58,400 --> 00:32:01,240 we're a small city with very, very 464 00:32:01,240 --> 00:32:03,600 little income, 465 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:07,200 and we are doing a large employee 466 00:32:07,200 --> 00:32:08,480 package 467 00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:10,880 that we will have to pay for every year 468 00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:12,880 going forward. 469 00:32:12,880 --> 00:32:14,560 So, 470 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:16,640 while we had 471 00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:19,160 savings in our general fund, and we can 472 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:21,480 keep using it, and hopefully, we can use 473 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:23,680 some of that for capital, cuz we've got 474 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:25,240 a lot of capital projects that are 475 00:32:25,240 --> 00:32:27,440 coming down that same road, too. 476 00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:30,160 And guess what? Right now, with the tax 477 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:31,960 rate and the way we're doing things, 478 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:33,120 we're going to have to bond for that 479 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:35,240 one, too. 480 00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:37,800 And as we keep doing this, it's like, 481 00:32:37,800 --> 00:32:40,200 well, okay, I need to do this now. So, I 482 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:43,790 need another credit card. 483 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:46,640 I'm just worried that if we don't start 484 00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:48,240 looking at 485 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:50,840 here is our revenue and here is how much 486 00:32:50,840 --> 00:32:53,080 we're actually trying to spend getting 487 00:32:53,080 --> 00:32:56,600 away from all of the one-time 488 00:32:56,600 --> 00:32:58,520 ARPA monies and any of these kind of 489 00:32:58,520 --> 00:33:00,240 things. We don't even know what the tax 490 00:33:00,240 --> 00:33:01,680 rate will be like. 491 00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:04,040 Um next year. I'm assuming it's going to 492 00:33:04,040 --> 00:33:05,960 be about the same thing maybe a five, 493 00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:07,560 six-dollar one. 494 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:08,480 Um 495 00:33:08,480 --> 00:33:10,080 but we've got to look at it long-term 496 00:33:10,080 --> 00:33:11,400 and so 497 00:33:11,400 --> 00:33:14,600 um just for my own personal, 498 00:33:14,600 --> 00:33:16,720 I have a hard time or I don't have a 499 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:19,400 hard time. I will be voting no on this 500 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:21,880 because we've got the pits that are 501 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:23,560 moving out further 502 00:33:23,560 --> 00:33:25,560 and will not be giving us more money, 503 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:27,040 which is part of the reason why the rec 504 00:33:27,040 --> 00:33:28,720 program is is starting to have some 505 00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:30,240 issues. 506 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:32,120 We've got 507 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:34,600 so many 508 00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:38,160 areas of gray that I don't think right 509 00:33:38,160 --> 00:33:39,360 now 510 00:33:39,360 --> 00:33:41,560 would been the time to go with an 511 00:33:41,560 --> 00:33:44,640 employee across the board sync up with 512 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:46,560 other cities because we're not other 513 00:33:46,560 --> 00:33:48,560 cities. Although 514 00:33:48,560 --> 00:33:50,920 the employees deserve that. 515 00:33:50,920 --> 00:33:57,960 I 100% believe that and state that it's not the employees I'm talking 516 00:33:57,960 --> 00:33:59,640 about. 517 00:33:59,640 --> 00:34:01,960 This is an overall 518 00:34:01,960 --> 00:34:03,640 are we 519 00:34:03,640 --> 00:34:06,120 the city that can do this kind of 520 00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:07,960 programs and pay 521 00:34:07,960 --> 00:34:10,560 and I don't think we are. 522 00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:15,230 Thank you for listening. 523 00:34:15,240 --> 00:34:17,040 » The only The only comment I have to make 524 00:34:17,040 --> 00:34:18,840 and Joel, I would agree with you that 525 00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:21,760 there's there's a bigger overall budget 526 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:23,800 discussion that needs to be had 527 00:34:23,800 --> 00:34:27,440 and long-term but going back to when you 528 00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:30,440 saw that great big spike on that chart 529 00:34:30,440 --> 00:34:32,800 and what was that? Eight, years ago? 530 00:34:32,800 --> 00:34:33,960 >> Yeah. 531 00:34:33,960 --> 00:34:35,520 >> Um 532 00:34:35,520 --> 00:34:36,960 that was when I learned that the city 533 00:34:36,960 --> 00:34:38,080 hadn't 534 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:40,800 changed the rate or held the rate. 535 00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:42,200 They've just let the rate deteriorate 536 00:34:42,200 --> 00:34:43,560 since 1970. 537 00:34:43,560 --> 00:34:44,800 >> Yeah. 538 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:46,159 >> And 539 00:34:46,159 --> 00:34:47,840 I mean, if you look at this as a from a 540 00:34:47,840 --> 00:34:49,639 flat tax percentage, just saying you're 541 00:34:49,639 --> 00:34:51,840 paying a 10% rate, 542 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:55,080 all we're doing is holding a rate. 543 00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:58,000 This is not the [clears throat] $12,000 544 00:34:58,000 --> 00:34:59,600 is not 545 00:34:59,600 --> 00:35:01,560 the conversation. It's a long-term 546 00:35:01,560 --> 00:35:03,280 discussion. Does our city want a 547 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:05,440 philosophy of holding that rate, 548 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:07,240 maintaining it? 549 00:35:07,240 --> 00:35:09,320 We still have a bigger discussion on the 550 00:35:09,320 --> 00:35:12,240 rest of our budget than $12,000. 551 00:35:12,240 --> 00:35:13,040 >> I would agree with you. 552 00:35:13,040 --> 00:35:15,040 >> And and last year we let the rate 553 00:35:15,040 --> 00:35:17,360 deteriorate. I didn't necessarily agree 554 00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:20,240 with that cuz I said we I would I would 555 00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:22,320 vote to maintain the rate at the same 556 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:24,680 percentage. I don't want to vote in 5 557 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:26,800 more years to do a 100% tax rate 558 00:35:26,800 --> 00:35:28,760 increase again. 559 00:35:28,760 --> 00:35:30,520 Cuz that's crazy. 560 00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:33,960 But our property tax is minuscule on our 561 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:35,560 budget 562 00:35:35,560 --> 00:35:37,160 overall compared to the rest of our 563 00:35:37,160 --> 00:35:38,680 total budget. 564 00:35:38,680 --> 00:35:41,920 All this is is maintaining a a steady 565 00:35:41,920 --> 00:35:43,920 path forward that doesn't even really 566 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:46,280 keep up with inflation 567 00:35:46,280 --> 00:35:48,000 when you look at that number. 568 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:50,400 So, I'm I'm in favor for maintaining the 569 00:35:50,400 --> 00:35:52,360 rate and that's that's why I'm in favor 570 00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:53,560 for maintaining the rate. I think the 571 00:35:53,560 --> 00:35:54,960 overall budget discussion is a whole 572 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:56,080 'nother issue. 573 00:35:56,080 --> 00:35:57,640 >> And I agree with you and that's why it 574 00:35:57,640 --> 00:35:58,520 tears me apart. 575 00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:01,320 >> Yeah. But we've we've had this budget 576 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:05,640 discussion for a long time. So, and I knew where you stood. So, I'm not This isn't directed to you. I 577 00:36:05,640 --> 00:36:07,480 was just explaining why I am in favor of 578 00:36:07,480 --> 00:36:12,790 maintaining this rate. 579 00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:18,430 » Anyone else? 580 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:20,640 » I feel the same way with Blair. We need 581 00:36:20,640 --> 00:36:22,920 to maintain that rate. When I first came 582 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:24,840 in as mayor and 583 00:36:24,840 --> 00:36:28,040 uh we discussed that and and 584 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:30,440 as Blair said without 585 00:36:30,440 --> 00:36:32,440 repeating it again, but we need to 586 00:36:32,440 --> 00:36:34,320 maintain that rate. 587 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:35,640 If you don't, you're going to fall way 588 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:37,040 off and you're going to have that large 589 00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:39,960 increase some years down the road. 590 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:41,600 So, 591 00:36:41,600 --> 00:36:44,990 and 592 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:46,720 So, that's what we are proposing. We're 593 00:36:46,720 --> 00:36:49,760 holding the rate. We are getting $12,000 594 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:51,560 more by holding the rate, but it's the 595 00:36:51,560 --> 00:36:54,400 same rate that we used last year. 596 00:36:54,400 --> 00:36:57,190 So. 597 00:36:57,200 --> 00:36:59,360 Any other comments? 598 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:06,830 No comments, we'll look for a motion. 599 00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:09,720 » Mayor, I move to approve resolution 2632 600 00:37:09,720 --> 00:37:13,120 tax year 2026 certified property tax 601 00:37:13,120 --> 00:37:18,430 rate of 0.00143. 602 00:37:18,440 --> 00:37:20,640 » We have a motion, do we have a second? 603 00:37:20,640 --> 00:37:22,200 >> Second. 604 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:24,520 by Jeremy Davis. Uh, we'll do a 605 00:37:24,520 --> 00:37:26,560 roll call vote starting with Council 606 00:37:26,560 --> 00:37:27,360 Windsor. 607 00:37:27,360 --> 00:37:31,280 >> I 608 00:37:31,280 --> 00:37:35,230 >> Okay, 4-1, motion carries. 609 00:37:35,240 --> 00:37:37,480 Appreciate that. 610 00:37:37,480 --> 00:37:39,960 And that's our agenda 611 00:37:39,960 --> 00:37:41,400 for this evening. 612 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:43,160 Look for a motion to adjourn. 613 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:44,280 >> Move to adjourn. 614 00:37:44,280 --> 00:37:45,360 >> Second. 615 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:46,440 >> All in favor say I. 616 00:37:46,440 --> 00:37:48,720 >> I