[0:04] Okay, welcome. It is Wednesday, August 19th, 2026.

[0:09] It is 7:00 p.m. The Tooele City Council is holding a public hearing regarding

[0:14] truth in taxation during our business meeting

[0:17] at Tooele City Hall in the council chambers located at 90 North Main Street

[0:21] in Tooele, Utah. We're also streaming this electronically on our Tooele City

[0:25] YouTube channel. And for the truth in taxation public

[0:28] hearing, the public may make oral comments by participating in either in

[0:32] person at Tooele City Hall or electronically via a Microsoft Teams

[0:37] link at tooelecity.gov that has been posted on our website. And

[0:41] then the comments will be limited to no more than 3 minutes per person.

[0:46] We will start with the pledge of allegiance. If you'll please rise and

[0:49] repeat after me.

[0:52] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:58] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:04] justice for all.

[1:08] » [clears throat] >> Thank you. Our second item is a roll

[1:11] call. Councilman Gossett. >> Present.

[1:13] » Councilwoman Goches. >> Present.

[1:15] » Councilman Hanson. >> Present.

[1:16] » Councilman McCall. >> Present.

[1:17] » And Councilman Brady, and I'm also present.

[1:20] Item three is a presentation of the proposed property tax increase. Uh it's

[1:25] Tooele City's proposed tax rate increase will generate an additional $238,092

[1:31] in property tax revenue per year as a result of this increase. And the

[1:35] additional property tax revenue will be used to fund $138,092

[1:40] towards the judgment levy bond payments increase and $100,000 for the fire

[1:45] department to fund stipends for volunteers, as well as an administrative

[1:49] assistant for the department. And then we'll [clears throat] have a

[1:51] presentation by Shannon Wimmer, the finance director.

[1:55] » Uh good evening, Council. Um Chairman Brady, you just did my presentation for

[1:59] me on this item, so I appreciate that. Um, this item is strictly just to make

[2:03] [snorts] sure that the public is aware of what the purpose of the meeting is

[2:06] tonight, um, and how we intend to use, uh, these additional funds that we're

[2:11] asking for for the increase of the certified tax rate. So, this this agenda

[2:16] item was just to read those statements. Um,

[2:19] so I appreciate that. >> You're welcome. I wasn't sure if I was

[2:22] supposed to read it or you, so. Okay, perfect. We'll move on to item four,

[2:26] which is a property tax impact schedule for fiscal year 2026 through 2027,

[2:32] presented by Shannon Wimmer, the finance director.

[2:35] » And this property tax impact schedule, um, there are hard copies available here

[2:40] tonight. It's also on our website if anybody would like to review this, but

[2:44] this is just a document prepared for the public again just to, um, try and make

[2:49] it clear to them what the city is asking for with this, uh,

[2:52] tax increase, um, and where the funds will go, how much the funds will be, and

[2:56] how much this will impact our residents. So, [clears throat] as you can see from

[3:00] this table, our certified tax rate was calculated to be .002527.

[3:06] Tooele City is asking for a rate of .002590.

[3:12] Uh, that would, um, increase our revenue that we will be given through property

[3:16] tax by $238,092.

[3:20] If we take a median value for Tooele City, our median value right now in the

[3:25] city for a residential property is $382,162.

[3:30] So, in 1 year, um, this will increase their taxes $13.24

[3:37] or $1.10 per month. That is a 2.49% increase. On a commercial property, uh,

[3:46] they don't have the 55% tax exemption, so the median value right now for a

[3:51] commercial property within Tooele City is 513,900.

[3:55] Um so this would be an increase per year of $1,331

[4:01] or $32.38 per year

[4:04] on those properties. So that is the impact to the taxpayer.

[4:08] And how we intend to use those funds, we intend to use those funds $138,092

[4:15] uh to pay the increased payment on the judgment levy on that bond that we have.

[4:20] And then an additional 100,000 will go towards funding the additional funds for

[4:25] the fire department, which they intend to use to implement some stipends for

[4:31] these volunteers. And also to um hire an administrative assistant for the

[4:36] department as we all are aware of the in the increase that they are experiencing

[4:41] as a department. Um we feel like this is the least we can do to keep them as a

[4:46] volunteer fire department and and help out with what they need.

[4:50] So that's that's where the property taxes will come from and where they will

[4:53] go. And that's all I had on um that line

[4:57] unless anybody has any questions. >> Okay, are there any questions or

[5:00] comments?

[5:03] Okay, we will move on to item five, which is a public hearing and motion on

[5:06] resolution 2026-61. A resolution of the Tooele City Council

[5:11] adopting the final tax rate for fiscal year 2026 through 2027.

[5:16] This is presented by Shannon Wimmer, the finance director.

[5:20] » Uh and again, this is uh just a resolution that says that we will adopt

[5:24] the tax rate of 0.002590, uh which is an increase over the

[5:28] certified tax rate of 2.49%. >> Okay, thank you, Shannon.

[5:34] Okay, this item has a public hearing. So since we have people

[5:38] here in the building and people online, we'll start with the people in the

[5:42] building. So I'm opening up the public hearing.

[5:45] Uh we ask that you state your name into the microphone. you keep your comments

[5:48] to 3 minutes or less, and then there's a paper by Shiloh that you'll have to

[5:51] sign. The time is now the public's.

[6:06] Okay, seeing no one come up forward at City Hall, I will open it up to anyone

[6:11] on Teams. You're welcome to raise your hand on the

[6:15] Teams meeting, and then Shiloh will have to unmute you. So, the time is now the

[6:19] public's on the Teams meeting as well.

[6:31] Okay, seeing no one raise your hand on that

[6:35] on Microsoft Teams, I will close the public hearing, and I will entertain a

[6:39] motion.

[6:42] » Uh Mr. Chair, I make a motion we uh we approve approve resolutions 2026-61,

[6:48] a resolution of the Tooele City Council adopting the final tax rate for fiscal

[6:52] year 2026 and 27. >> Second.

[6:55] » We have a [clears throat] motion from Councilman Hansen and a second from

[6:58] Councilman McCall. We'll take it to a vote. Councilman McCall?

[7:01] » Aye. >> Councilman Hansen?

[7:03] » Aye. >> Councilwoman Goches?

[7:04] » Aye. >> Councilman Gosewisch?

[7:05] » Aye. >> I'm Councilman Brady, and I vote aye.

[7:08] That passes 5-0. And item six is a public hearing and

[7:11] motion on resolution 2026-62, a resolution of the Tooele City Council

[7:17] adopting the final budget for Tooele City for fiscal year 2026 through 2027,

[7:23] presented by Shannon Wimmer, the finance director.

[7:27] » Tonight, I just have a brief presentation. We have

[7:31] um done public presentations on the budget when we first presented the

[7:34] tentative budget on May 6th. We then had a more in-depth budget presentation on

[7:39] June 17th. So, hopefully the public has been able to review those

[7:44] um and had time to um ask us any questions that they might

[7:47] have on the budget. I would also just like to point out that there are hard

[7:51] copies of the budget here um on the back table if anybody would

[7:54] like to look through that document. It is also on our website, so I would

[7:58] encourage the public to review the public budget. They've made it very easy

[8:03] um to read through and learn about where your where your funds are going and

[8:06] we're always happy to answer questions, so I would encourage anybody who has any

[8:10] questions to contact me um and I'm happy to discuss anything

[8:14] they would like um on the budget. We also have a copy of

[8:18] the combined tax ad, which is here on the table as well.

[8:22] Um that's just a required document by the state that will show every entity in

[8:26] Tooele County that is raising your taxes this year and how much they are and when

[8:30] their public hearings are. Um so, I just want to point out that that's also

[8:33] available here. Um so, tonight I just kind of have a

[8:37] brief presentation um

[8:40] for for the public's benefit and I will apologize if they've seen this before,

[8:43] but um this will just kind of give you some highlights about what this budget

[8:47] contains, what its goals are, what it accomplishes

[8:51] um so that the public can have that information before the comment period um

[8:55] for the public hearing. So, the first thing in the budget is

[8:59] always the the mayor's budget message. So, um just some highlights that are

[9:04] within that message is it describes Tooele City's financial policies. Um our

[9:08] financial policies continue to emphasize fiscal discipline, careful evaluation of

[9:13] expenditures, maintaining service levels, and promoting economic

[9:17] development to broaden the tax base, and reduce the burden on residents.

[9:21] Uh some of the key features of the budget that you'll see in that document

[9:24] is to address the rising costs due to inflation,

[9:28] funding for the volunteer fire department and the police,

[9:31] maintain critical infrastructure to ensure reliable service and avoiding

[9:35] more costly repairs in the future. Some of the changes from the previous

[9:40] year, we do have additions for increased service demands which includes an

[9:44] ordinance enforcement position, public safety staffing, increased investment in

[9:49] infrastructure maintenance, and critical improvements and community projects.

[9:55] Um, are any financial policy changes? Um,

[9:58] we don't really have any changes, but we prioritize conservative budgeting

[10:01] practices, maintain stable tax rates where possible, invest in essential

[10:06] infrastructure, and to support economic development efforts.

[10:11] And then this is just a chart to kind of show how new [clears throat] growth and

[10:16] how we collect property taxes. So each year the way the property tax works, um,

[10:22] it doesn't account for inflation or any other factors. Um, we get the exact same

[10:27] amount of money each year. So

[10:31] plus any additional new developments. So an individual taxpayer's rate may change

[10:37] if the value of their home changes, or that's how they set the rate. So just as

[10:42] rough numbers, if we received a million dollars last year, this year they would

[10:46] say okay, you receive a million dollars, and so what does the tax rate need to

[10:50] be, and then they figure out the tax rate and how that that affects each

[10:53] homeowner. But Tooele a city does not get any additional growth. That's why

[10:57] the certified tax rate is calculated by the state, and it can go up and down.

[11:02] They are just that rate is just to ensure that we don't receive any

[11:05] additional funds that is not new growth without going through the truth and

[11:09] taxation process. So if we need any additional funds such

[11:13] as this 238,000 that we are asking for tonight, um, the only way to do that is

[11:18] through this public process, um, to involve the public and let them

[11:22] know what we're asking for, where we intend to spend it,

[11:26] um, and how it will impact our taxpayers

[11:30] based on their home value. Um so, while some homeowners may see a

[11:34] change without truth and taxation, um

[11:39] the city doesn't see any change. So, hopefully that that makes sense. It is

[11:43] really confusing. We always have a hard time

[11:46] explaining that, but um that's the way that growth works.

[11:51] So, we have our budget priorities. Um we want to fund ongoing expenses such as

[11:55] personnel, operation and maintenance, and day-to-day operations to provide our

[11:59] city services. So, right now included in our operating

[12:02] budget, we have increases in salaries and benefits for step increases and cola

[12:07] adjustment. We also added those three new positions,

[12:10] um which is including an additional officer, an administrative assistant for

[12:14] the fire department, and a position in the IT department.

[12:18] This includes stipends for the fire department to address the growing

[12:22] demands on the volunteer fire department and to try and maintain that volunteer

[12:26] status. We have increases in the operating

[12:30] budget mainly to address just increased cost due to fuel and inflationary costs.

[12:36] And then the second part of the budget, we have the capital projects and

[12:39] equipment.

[12:44] Yes. Sorry.

[12:47] So, we have capital projects and equipment. These are just some

[12:50] highlights. Obviously, we have more than this.

[12:53] Um but some of the projects that the public can look forward to, we're

[12:56] getting some overhead lighting in the aquatic center.

[13:00] Um we are already working on I'm not even sure

[13:03] it might already be done, but the net and the driving range repair at the pump

[13:06] station at the golf. Uh we have some museum and park

[13:10] upgrades. We need a chiller replacement at the library.

[13:14] The police department will be getting a digital forensics tool and some taser

[13:18] software. Uh we need an aerial lift for the public

[13:21] buildings. And then of course, just our regular mason our regular um replacement

[13:26] of autos and trucks for the departments to keep them running for their daily

[13:29] use. Um, that's that's what I have on the

[13:33] budget. Um, so I'll leave the rest of Is there any questions before we start the

[13:37] public hearing? >> Any questions or comments?

[13:41] » I do. >> Okay, thanks Shannon.

[13:43] » Thank you. >> Okay, this item also has a public

[13:46] hearing. We will open the time up to the public. We ask that you state your name

[13:51] into the microphone. You keep your comments to 3 minutes or less and then

[13:55] then sign the paper by Shilo. The time is now the public's.

[14:11] Okay, seeing no one come forward, I will offer the same amount of time to those

[14:17] attending on Teams. So, if you're on Teams and you'd like to make a public

[14:21] comment, then just raise your hand and Shilo will unmute you.

[14:29] » Question in the audience? >> Okay, it looks like we do have someone

[14:32] on the Teams.

[14:37] So, if you'll just state your name once you're unmuted and then keep your

[14:41] comments to 3 minutes or less. The time is now yours.

[14:51] » Um, my name is Lynn. I do not have a comment

[14:55] for what was just talked about. The online audio is fading in and out. I

[15:00] can't hear anything that your speakers are saying. I can hear everybody sitting

[15:04] next to you, but you can't hear anything from the

[15:08] your other speakers. So, whatever they said just faded in and

[15:12] out, crackled, and I have no idea what they were just

[15:16] talking about. >> Okay, thank you. Can you hear me when

[15:20] I'm speaking? It was just the presentation you couldn't hear?

[15:23] » Just the presentation. I heard everybody's vote say I on the

[15:27] » Okay. >> passing of the

[15:28] Yeah, I can hear everybody but the speaker.

[15:31] » Okay.

[15:35] Okay. The presentation's also on YouTube.

[15:39] Um I don't know if we Is there a way that we can show it on

[15:43] Teams or is it Well, I guess can they see the screen on

[15:47] there? on Teams?

[15:51] » Yes. >> Okay, but you probably can't see the

[15:54] screen very well, right? >> Uh it's faded. It says there's 2 minute

[15:58] and 4 seconds left. I can read the screen behind you.

[16:02] And I can see all of you sitting there.

[16:10] » Okay. Shilo, our city recorder is saying that the presentations are available on

[16:16] YouTube. We're streaming this also on YouTube.

[16:19] And we don't believe there was any issues on the YouTube channel.

[16:39] Okay.

[16:43] Did someone in the back Did you want to make a public comment?

[16:46] » Actually, I have a question. >> You have to come to the mic and

[16:51] it's the only way for us to get it on the audio.

[16:55] And you'll have to state your name. >> Okay, my name is Bella Martinez.

[17:00] I just have a question. >> Will you just pull the mic down just cuz

[17:02] we're having >> Okay, I just have a question. As I look

[17:06] at the budgets and look at the different areas,

[17:11] I'm just I'm confused. So, for example, the police department

[17:17] I don't understand why the benefits are decreased.

[17:23] It seems to me, I know we don't want our budget to go up, the cost to go up, but

[17:28] it seems to me that uh

[17:31] benefits would increase. Now, they do increase for the fire department from

[17:38] uh the budget of 2026 181,000 and it for 2027

[17:45] the recommendation is that is 301,000, but almost every other department it's

[17:51] decreased. So, could you just explain that to me?

[17:57] » Yeah, let us So, let us finish the public comment period and then we'll

[18:02] we'll address your question, okay? >> Thank you.

[18:10] » Oh, sorry, you ma'am, you'll have to sign the paper per by Shiloh over here.

[18:17] Okay. Seeing no one else come forward for the

[18:20] public hearing, I'm going to close the public hearing and then we'll turn the

[18:23] time back over to the council and Shannon to address this question.

[18:28] I don't know if you know off the top of your head, Shannon, if

[18:32] if you can answer that question. I don't have it in front of me. I'm trying to

[18:35] find it. >> generally

[18:37] the benefits can fluctuate quite a bit. The vast majority of the changes in that

[18:41] account is based on whether or not we have employees that take family uh

[18:47] medical leave or excuse me, family insurance or single insurance. And so,

[18:52] um that's as you know, insurance is one of our biggest benefit costs. And so, if

[18:56] we have a few officers that have switched from family coverage to single

[18:59] as as some officers leave and new officers come on, um we also if we have

[19:04] open positions, we always budget that they will take family coverage, but when

[19:09] they actually come on, if they actually only need single coverage, There's a big

[19:13] difference in what in what we pay depending on how they elect, but the

[19:16] vast majority of the decrease because their retirement and those types of

[19:21] benefits they were not decreasing. So, when there's a decrease in that account,

[19:24] it's basically just the election that the employees have on whether or not

[19:29] they are taking family coverage uh for their medical insurance or

[19:32] single. >> Okay.

[19:35] Thank you. Is there any other discussion

[19:38] from the council or any other questions, concerns?

[19:43] » Did that answer your question? >> What's that?

[19:47] » Can we ask if that answered your question?

[19:51] » I did I you know, I just I think we got a really good budget here and I

[19:54] appreciate Shiloh and them putting together and

[19:57] I think overall it looks really good. I don't have no no negative thoughts

[20:01] about it. >> Yeah. Yeah.

[20:04] Yeah, I agree. Uh I don't know if the public knows, but we start the the

[20:08] budget process early in the year. We do try to be as transparent as possible. I

[20:12] know there's some people who don't think it is transparent, but we we did our

[20:17] best to get the public involved as we were having discussions. Um I remember I

[20:20] wrote a newsletter that's sent out to everyone letting them know that

[20:25] we were considering raising taxes and that was several

[20:28] months ago. So, we really do try our best to

[20:31] to try to let the public know what we're planning and why we're doing it and uh

[20:35] just a thank you to the fire department. Um you being a volunteer fire department

[20:39] does save the city hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars a year and we

[20:43] hope to continue to support you the best that we can.

[20:46] Okay, any other comments?

[20:50] Okay, I will entertain a motion.

[20:56] » Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion that we approve resolution 2026-62,

[21:01] a resolution that the Tooele City Council adopting the final budget for

[21:05] the Tooele City for fiscal year 2026-27. >> I'll second that.

[21:11] » We have a motion from Councilwoman Gochis and a second from Councilman

[21:14] Gossett. We'll take it to a vote. Councilman Gossett.

[21:17] » Aye. >> Councilwoman Gochis.

[21:18] » Aye. >> Councilman Hansen.

[21:20] » Aye. >> Councilman McCall.

[21:22] » Aye. >> I'm Councilman Brady and I vote aye.

[21:25] That passes 5-0. And item seven is to adjourn at 7:21

[21:30] p.m.

Public Hearing Regarding Truth in Taxation During City Council Business Meeting - August 19, 2026

Transcript