Ogden council adopts fiscal 2024-25 budget with property tax increase, salary schedules and arts grants, all 7-0
August 6, 2024, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd., Ogden
The council voted 7-0 to adopt the final 2024-25 budget and certified tax rate, new salary schedules, budget goals and arts grants after Truth in Taxation and executive-pay hearings. In the work session it discussed a request to move a municipal boundary at 1514 North Washington Boulevard to North Ogden, firefighter retirement coverage for new EMS staff and changes to the Diversity Commission.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item W1 · Annexation
Proposed North Ogden municipal boundary adjustment at 1514 North Washington Boulevard (work session)
Discussed
Cooperstown Partners, LLC asked to move the boundary between Ogden and North Ogden to bring 1.74 acres into North Ogden for a mixed-use project north of the line. Senior Planner Brandon Rypien said the developer would build a six-foot precast wall with a six-foot landscape buffer, and an interlocal agreement with North Ogden would share property taxes on the parcel for 50 years. A resolution starts a 60-day wait, so staff proposed a resolution August 20 and action November 12. Applicant Rick Scadden explained why he pursued North Ogden. North Ogden's city manager said the developer was offered no tax incentives and he would look into a delinquent sewer agreement raised by Ogden staff. Council members suggested a general policy on boundary adjustments but agreed to consider the resolution August 20.
- Applicant: Cooperstown Partners, LLC
- Acres: 1.74
Item W2 · Budget
Firefighter retirement coverage for EMS staff (work session)
Discussed
Human Resources Manager Heather Briskey said the budget adds four Transport Ambulance Technician (AEMT/EMT) positions and that state law passed in 2023 lets employers cover full-time EMS personnel under the Firefighter Retirement System if the council adopts a resolution. Fire Chief Mike Mathieu said it would help hiring.
Item W3 · City code
Diversity Commission ordinance amendments (work session)
Discussed
Mayor Benjamin Nadolski said the proposal aligns the ordinance with House Bill 261 (2024), which bars governmental employers from programs or offices named diversity, equity and inclusion. It would rename the body the Ogden Community Engagement and Opportunity Commission, remove membership qualifications tied to personal identity characteristics, have the mayor appoint with council consent and cap holdover service at six months for all city committees. A joint resolution would rename the Diversity Charter the Community Engagement Charter. Commission chair Fernando Morales said the law forced removal of terms but cannot remove the commission's spirit. The mayor and council agreed to uphold the charter's intentions. Action is set for August 20.
Item 1 · Budget
Public hearing on pay increase for executive municipal officers
Discussed
State law (SB 91, 2024) requires a separate hearing on pay increases for officers such as the chief administrative officer, city attorney, department heads and chiefs. The budget includes a minimum 4% increase for all employees except elected officials. Speakers: a former city manager supported fair pay even if taxes rise; a resident opposed any tax increase and said he would rather see more police and fire staff than raises; another said employees should be paid competitively but asked about efficiencies and other revenue; a fourth favored using land better over a tax increase; one asked if officers' pay is capped. Council Executive Director Janene Eller-Smith said administration is hiring a consultant for a citywide staffing study. Action came with the final budget.
Item 2 · Budget
Final budget package: Resolutions 2024-7 and 2024-6, Ordinances 2024-21 and 2024-22
Approved · 7-0
Council Deputy Director Glenn Symes said the final budget rises $12.4 million, or 4.89%. He compared three ways to set the certified tax rate: the mayor's $183,000 (0.94%) increase, a 3% inflation adjustment yielding $591,400 more, or keeping the 2023 rate of 0.002239 (5.36% increase) yielding $1,053,425 more. Ogden has raised property taxes four times since 1985. Council Member Angela Choberka said her notice from the county assessor showed her bill would fall under the certified rate, and Chair Ken Richey said about 18% of a resident's tax bill goes to Ogden. Speakers praised arts funding, asked for better publicity of tax relief programs and questioned the tax increase and levy rules. The council adopted the goals and guidelines (annual certified rate review, return of unspent salary funds to balance), arts grants from $248,500 in requests against a $150,000 budget, salary schedules corrected to set the assistant division director range at $81,000 to $115,931.57, and the final budget. The minutes do not state the exact rate adopted; remarks refer to an increase of about five percent in Ogden's share of the property tax bill.
- Grant$150,000
- Budget$4.66 million
What residents said
Property tax increaseCity employee payFixed-income residentsUnion Station
Speakers disagreed on the budget. One said she was glad the council would help the fire department and asked for de-escalation training for police and expressed concern about the council's discussion of diversity. Another said government extracts wealth and city services could be privatized, which Mayor Nadolski and Council Member Bart Blair rejected, saying employees reflect the community and turnover is costly. A third asked the council to move ahead on Union Station. A fourth asked the council to reconsider zoning rules limiting exterior home improvements.