Orem council raises property tax revenue $450,000 for two police officers

The Orem City Council voted 5-2 on Aug. 27, 2026, to adopt a fiscal 2027 budget that raises the city's property tax revenue by $450,000 a year to pay for two more police officers, according to the meeting minutes. ^[1]

Mayor Karen McCandless and council members Chris Killpack, Jeff Lambson, Jenn Gale and Quinn Mecham voted yes, and council members LaNae Millett and Crystal Muhlestein voted no. ^[1]

The minutes say the city's certified tax rate rises from 0.000590 to 0.000631, a 7.01% increase in the city's property tax revenue, and that the city had not adjusted its rate since 2019. ^[1] The city's levy makes up about 14% of a resident's total property tax bill, according to the minutes. ^[1]

New public safety fund

The same ordinance dedicates the general operations portion of Orem's property tax levy to a new public safety special revenue fund. ^[1]

City budget documents say property tax will cover about 20% of police and fire spending. ^[2] The tentative budget shows a $25.4 million transfer into the fund from other city revenue and puts the fund at $45.3 million for fiscal 2027, with $26.0 million for police and $19.4 million for fire. ^[3]

Reserves

During the hearing, Chief Financial Officer Brandon Nelson said the city's available fund balance is roughly $14 million after committed purchase orders and capital projects. ^[1]

The city's independent auditors reported that its general fund balance exceeded the state limit by $4.07 million at the end of fiscal 2025. ^[4]