Auditing Ephraim
The Ledger's review of Ephraim's budgets, audits, debt and redevelopment money. Every story in the series, sorted by subject, with the figures the records show and links to the official documents.
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Auditing Ephraim: what the city's audit and budget records say about its money
A facts-only look at Ephraim's finances: the fiscal 2025 audit, the city's debt and fund balances, the fiscal 2027 budget the council adopted in two steps, and what this series will follow.
Read the explainer →Key figures
- $6.18 millionFY2027 interim general fund budgetAuditing Ephraim: what the city's audit and budget records say about its money →
- $12.9 millionTotal debt outstanding, June 30, 2025Auditing Ephraim: what the city's audit and budget records say about its money →
- $840,794Unassigned general fund balance, June 30, 2025Auditing Ephraim: what the city's audit and budget records say about its money →
- $47New in-city minimum water charge for the first 7,000 gallonsEphraim raises its minimum water charge from $30 to $47 after rate study →
- $45,022Projected added property tax revenue from the 0.001199 rateEphraim adopts property tax rate above certified rate, projected to raise $45,022 more →
- $33,000Increased property tax revenue discussed for Ephraim Crossing parcelsEphraim council triggers Ephraim Crossing parcels in inland port project area, passes increment through →
Redevelopment money
Ephraim council triggers Ephraim Crossing parcels in inland port project area, passes increment through
On Sept. 16, 2026, the Ephraim City Council voted 5-0 to trigger Ephraim Crossing parcels within a Utah Inland Port Authority project area and to pass the added property tax revenue through to taxing entities rather than keep it, according to draft minutes.
Budgets, reserves and taxes
Ephraim adopts property tax rate above certified rate, projected to raise $45,022 more
After a Truth in Taxation hearing with no public comment, the Ephraim City Council adopted a 0.001199 property tax rate on Aug. 19, 2026. City records put the added revenue at about $45,022, down from a $59,000 estimate in June.
Contracts and spending
No story in the series on this yet.
Other findings
Ephraim raises its minimum water charge from $30 to $47 after rate study
A January 2026 rate study projected deficits for Ephraim's drinking water system at current rates. In June the council adopted an ordinance raising the in-city minimum monthly charge to $47, with future increases tied to inflation and capped at 3% a year.