Logan council budget workshop covers 3 percent property tax proposal, council pay, fire and community development budgets
May 13, 2025
At a budget workshop with no votes, staff proposed a 3 percent property tax increase for the general fund and library, 100 percent city payment of required retirement contributions for Tier 1 employees, and a fiscal 2026 council salary of $20,152.43. Fire and community development presented their budgets, and the Redevelopment Agency reported $2.2 million in reserves.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Overview of general budget issues
Discussed
Finance Director Richard Anderson said sales tax is projected flat and proposed a 3 percent property tax rate increase. One Parks position moves to the general fund and two full-time EMS positions are added because of increased calls. Insurance costs rose 9 percent, compared with 29, 15 and 7 percent in the three prior years, and a 4 percent pay-for-performance raise is planned with focus on lower-paid employees. The library owes $1.8 million. The estimate for a fourth bioreactor is high and funding is insufficient; the council must decide whether to borrow from a fund or issue a bond. Mayor Daines said electric funds have declined because of ongoing capital projects.
- Payment$1.80 million
Item 2 · Other
Fraud risk assessment
Discussed
Anderson reported the city scored 355 of 395 on the assessment.
Item 4 · Budget
Retirement contributions, Resolution 25-22
Discussed
HR Director Ambrie Darley said the city will pay 100 percent of required employee contributions for eligible Tier 1 retirement members effective July 1, 2025; Tier 2 members pay their own. Fewer than half of employees are Tier 1. Action was set for June 17.
Item 5 · Budget
Salary schedules for elected and executive officers, Ordinance 25-09
Discussed
Darley presented a council member salary of $20,152.43 with a $300 annual vehicle allowance, and a mayor's salary of $124,693.40 with a $6,000 vehicle allowance and standard full-time benefits. Council Member Mark Anderson asked how pay compares with other cities; Darley said Logan is on the lower end because it does not provide the benefits others do. Vice Chair Johnson and Chair Simmonds asked for comparisons with other councils at the hearing on June 17.
- Payment$20,152
- Payment$124,693
Item 6 · Budget
Budget transfers, fiscal 2026
Discussed
Anderson said about 60 percent of Logan properties are non-taxable (county, church, university, federal, parks, nonprofit) and about 45 percent pay property tax. Without transfers between funds, he said, property taxes would need to rise to cover almost 150 percent of the need, falling only on taxpaying properties. Action was set for June 17.
Item 7 · Taxes and fees
Tentative certified property tax rate, 2025
Discussed
Staff proposed a 3 percent increase for the library and general fund, comparable to last year's. Action was set for June 17.
Item 8 · Budget
Department presentations: Parks and Recreation, Fire, Community Development
Discussed
Parks and Recreation Director Russ Akina said the Recreation Center transfers to the Logan City School District by July 1, 2025, and listed cemetery, golf irrigation and cart, and trail projects. Fire Chief Nate Thompson reported 6,424 incidents in 2024 (up 7.64 percent), including 5,105 EMS calls, a fire budget of $6,756,067 and an EMS budget of $5,941,972, service contracts with North Logan ($1,093,150), Providence ($543,800) and River Heights ($148,730), and a $162,875 first-responder mental health grant. Community Development Director Mike DeSimone listed a $2,552,630 department budget, including about $560,000 in CDBG funds, and said the General Plan is on track for early next spring with a $50,000 reimbursable grant and about $200,000 set aside.
- Budget$6.76 million
- Budget$5.94 million
- Contract$1.09 million to North Logan
- Contract$543,800 to Providence
- Contract$148,730 to River Heights
- Grant$162,875 to State of Utah
- Budget$2.55 million
Item 9 · Budget
Redevelopment Agency budget workshop
Discussed
Economic Development Director Kirk Jensen said Plaza 45 and the Jump to the Moon building sold this year, with proceeds returned to the RDA fund. RDA reserves are $2.2 million and holdings are valued at $2.2 million; tax increment revenue is $320,000. The RDA owns the northwest corner of 300 North Main and smaller parcels near 300 South 100 East. Chair Simmonds asked about a possible 300 North Main RDA; Jensen said the boundary depends on development interest.
- Budget$320,000
- Budget$2.20 million
What residents said
Property tax increaseCouncil payBioreactor funding