American Fork's fitness center subsidy has nearly tripled since 2015, and fiber materials sit waiting on a deal

Fitness center

American Fork's general fund transferred $419,158 to the fitness center in fiscal 2015. By fiscal 2025 the transfer was $1,175,089. The city estimates $1,227,211 for fiscal 2026 and budgets $1,167,543 this year. ^[1][2]

The budget describes a subsidy "target" of 35% of the center's costs. In fiscal 2025 the transfer covered about 36%. Separately, the center expects to spend about $4 million on locker rooms, aquatic maintenance and gym space this fiscal year. ^[2]

Broadband

The city's broadband fund has carried a negative net position of about $1.7 million to $2.1 million in each annual report the Ledger checked from 2015 to 2025. It traces back to an earlier city-run network that was sold in 2008 for $500,000. ^[1][3]

Since fiscal 2019 the general fund has transferred roughly $200,000 to $320,000 a year to the broadband fund. The transfer was $197,042 in fiscal 2025 plus a $22,189 fund balance contribution, and $235,452 is budgeted this year. ^[1][2]

The city has also spent about $5.4 million on "fiber design and materials" for a new citywide fiber network: $3.69 million in fiscal 2024 and $1.70 million in fiscal 2025, plus a small amount in 2023, according to the Ledger's review of the city's budget books. ^[2]

In February 2025 the council approved a memorandum of understanding with Strata Networks and CentraCom. Under it, CentraCom would own most of the network, the city would keep a small stake, and the city would contribute its existing assets and the materials it bought. The city says no property tax or utility fee will fund the network. A final agreement has not been published. ^[4]

What we don't know

We haven't found the terms that would govern the city's materials if the partnership doesn't close, or how the city's stake would be valued. We will update this story when a final agreement comes to the council.