South Ogden raises its share of property taxes 10.3%, listing a fire engine first among the uses

The South Ogden City Council voted 5–0 on Aug. 4, 2026, to adopt Resolution 26-21, the FY2027 final budget, after a public hearing on a possible increase to the city's portion of property taxes. Council members Mike Howard, Jeanette Smyth, Doug Stephens, Jeremy Howe and Clayton Peterson voted yes. ^[1]

The increase

The minutes give the proposed increase first as 10.39% and then as a revised 10.3%, and say it is expected to produce $476,331 of additional revenue. ^[1]

The minutes list four proposed uses: $281,300 for a new fire engine, $50,000 for sidewalk replacement or repair, $100,000 for parks maintenance operations and $45,000 for new police cars. ^[1]

The final budget's property tax line is $5,099,962, with a note that the 10.30% increase equals $476,331 in additional revenue. ^[2]

The hearing

Two members of the public spoke at the tax hearing. One spoke against the increase, and one asked that alternatives to taxes be explored. No one spoke at the separate budget hearing. ^[1]

The minutes do not record a separate vote on the tax increase. The recorded roll-call vote was on Resolution 26-21. ^[1]

How it got there

At a June 16, 2026 work session, the council directed staff to proceed with a 10.3% increase. That evening the council voted 5–0 to adopt Resolution 26-17, the FY2027 interim budget, and Finance Director Peter Anjewierden announced the Aug. 4 hearing. ^[3]

The rest of the budget

The final budget lists $19,882,950 in General Fund revenue and expenditures. It balances in part with $678,888 of appropriated fund balance and $49,000 of appropriated Class C road fund balance. ^[2]

The budget also lists a $281,250 'Reserve for Fund Balance' line among General Fund transfers. The budget does not say what it is for. ^[2]