Logan council budget workshop weighs 22.88 percent city levy increase offset by county cut to fund Fire Station 73
May 26, 2026
At a budget workshop with no votes, the finance director presented a property tax impact schedule for a city rate above the certified rate that would raise $1,360,000, with 0.00 percent net effect on an average taxpayer because Cache County reduced its general levy by about the same amount. Of that, $1,174,300 would fund Fire Station 73 operations. Departments presented budgets including a $6.9 million BioMag expansion, a $38 million Bioreactor 4 upgrade and police staffing needs.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Light & Power budget | Discussed |
| Police budget | Discussed |
| Environmental budget | Discussed |
| Public Works budget | Discussed |
| Property tax impact schedule | Discussed |
| Fire Station 73 plan | Discussed |
| Next steps | No action |
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Budget
Light & Power budget
Discussed
Director Mark Montgomery said power purchases rise from $31,595,000 to $32,389,400, regional day-ahead market operations began May 1, a new 10-megawatt station at Substation 7 is under way, and the Enbridge gas line change order adds $670,000 after an initial $4 million, covered from the gas budget. A 3 percent revenue increase will be proposed in early August. A billing error for multi-meter industrial customers was corrected, yielding about 3 percent more industrial revenue. A solar project on the new Public Works building is estimated at $1.2 million, with about $750,000 from a reserve transfer.
Item 3 · Budget
Police budget
Discussed
Chief Jeff Simmons said the force fell from 60 to 56 officers and 12 officers were lost to neighboring agencies in two years, Cache County implemented a 10 percent raise, and Logan vacated four positions to fund a 10 percent raise for experienced staff. With a population of about 54,000 the ratio is 1.03 officers per thousand against 1.6 for Utah; reaching the state average would take 85 officers. He requested two backfilled positions, one funded by property tax. Getting a recruit into the field costs about $70,000.
- Payment$70,000
Item 4 · Budget
Environmental budget
Discussed
Director Tyler Richards reported wastewater debt service of $5.2 million a year; a BioMag expansion bid of $6.9 million funded by EPA grants of $5 million and $1.75 million and a $1.35 million city match; a $38 million Bioreactor 4 upgrade to raise capacity from 18 to 24 million gallons a day, with bidding targeted for 2028; and solid waste reserves of $33 million. The landfill has about two years of capacity left, and the tipping rate rises from $38 to $40 per ton in July.
Item 5 · Budget
Public Works budget
Discussed
Director Paul Lindhardt and Sam Odd said the 1250 North and 200 East signal is live, the Main Street underpass is two weeks ahead of schedule, and the Thrushwood Bridge on 100 North goes to bid this fall at just under $8 million with $1.2 million requested. The 400 North and 600 West intersection needs $3.2 million, which with prior funds and a new $5.8 million county COG grant reaches a $12 million target. A 200 East corridor study is budgeted at $150,000.
- Grant$5.80 million to Cache Council of Governments
- Budget$3.20 million
- Budget$150,000
Item 7 · Taxes and fees
Property tax impact schedule
Discussed
Anderson said the city is considering a rate above the certified rate that would raise $1,360,000, a 22.88 percent increase in city tax revenue with 0.00 percent net effect on an average residence or business because Cache County reduced its general levy by about the same amount. The money would fund Fire Station 73 operations ($1,174,300), a police officer ($131,086) and street lighting utility fees ($54,614). The minutes cite the county action as an ordinance in one place and a resolution in another.
- Fee$1.36 million
- Budget$1.17 million
- Budget$131,086
- Budget$54,614
Item 9 · Public safety
Fire Station 73 plan
Discussed
Fire Chief Nate Thompson said the northwest corner and extreme southeast bench have the slowest response times, zone EMS runs rose 42 percent from 2021 to 2025 to 1,918 calls a year, and operating funds would accumulate for two to five years before construction. The station needs four personnel per shift across three battalions, 10 to 12 new positions.
Item 10 · Budget
Next steps
No action
With endorsement from members present, Finance will add the property tax adjustment to the June 16 agenda for tentative approval; the final budget and truth-in-taxation hearing are set for August 11 at 6 p.m. No vote is recorded.
What residents said
Property tax ratePolice staffingLandfill capacity