Ogden City Council adopts $3.68M mid-year budget amendments, 6-0

The Ogden City Council voted 6-0 on Oct. 20 to adopt Ordinance 2026-19, which raises the city's budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 by $3,684,000. Council members Flor Lopez, Kevin Lundell, Jeremy Peterson, Ken Richey and Alicia Washington and council Chair Richard Hyer voted yes. Vice Chair Dave Graf was excused. ^[1][2]

The agenda described the ordinance as amending the budget for July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, by increasing revenues, other funding sources and appropriations by that amount. The council took it up as a public hearing, with a roll call vote on whether to adopt. OpenCity's summary of the meeting says the amendments cover capital projects, golf course improvements and wildland firefighting equipment. ^[1][3]

The firefighting money matches what KUTV reported the same day. KUTV reported that the city planned to direct about $2 million in wildfire reimbursements into the fire department. Fire Chief Mike Slater said Ogden had paid up-front costs such as payroll, overtime, fuel and equipment for its wildland crews, and expects reimbursement from the state and federal government. Slater said the money would pay for wildland gear, equipment and training. KUTV reported that a $650,000 Type 3 wildfire engine was planned; at the hearing, city staff put the new wildland engine at $800,000. ^[2][4]

At the hearing, city staff said the amendments add $500,000 to the capital projects fund for a Utah Outdoor Recreation grant for Lester Park improvements. They add $346,000 to the golf fund from retained earnings, for equipment, El Monte kitchen improvements, irrigation at Mount Ogden and a $150,000 net at Mount Ogden. They also add $2 million to recognize wildland fire program revenue and spending, including reimbursed wages, supplies and travel and a new wildland engine, and $838,000 to the fleet and facilities fund to account for the new equipment. ^[2]

Also on the Oct. 20 agenda, the council approved the minutes of its Sept. 15 meeting and Sept. 29 field trip, and reappointed Chris Zimmerman to the Public Safety Employee Appeal Board. It also recognized recent graduates of the Path to Citizenship Program. ^[1][2][3]

The meeting included 12 public comments, according to OpenCity's summary of the meeting. Speakers raised police practices, federal immigration enforcement, public comment limits, homelessness and traffic noise on Washington Boulevard. ^[2][3]