Ogden council adopts unchanged certified tax rate and vacates strip of Stewart Drive, all 7-0
July 1, 2025, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd., Ogden
The council voted 7-0 to adopt the county's certified property tax rate of 0.002193 for fiscal 2025-26, to vacate a narrow strip of Stewart Drive in Business Depot Ogden, and to adopt financial principles that continue prioritizing employee pay. A closed session also passed 7-0. In an earlier work session, members reviewed a rezone at 155 West 14th Street, $160,000 in arts grants and five unfunded firefighter positions.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Other
Closed session
No action · 7-0
The council voted 7-0 to go into closed session at 4:03 p.m. and reconvened at 6:07 p.m. The minutes record no action.
Item 1 · Development
Vacation of part of Stewart Drive at 331 Stewart Drive (Ordinance 2025-20)
Approved · 7-0
The council vacated an 8-foot-wide strip, about 440 feet long (2,475 square feet), of Stewart Drive in Business Depot Ogden and quit-claimed it to abutting owners, with a right-of-way reserved for existing utilities. The Boyer Company is developing an industrial building at 398 Stewart Drive and said the change aligns the right-of-way with existing street improvements and gives room to meet a 20-foot front setback. The Planning Commission recommended approval on February 5, 2025. Assistant Planning Director Joe Simpson confirmed no underground infrastructure is in the vacated area. No one spoke at the hearing.
- Applicant: The Boyer Company (Aaron Austad)
- Size: about 440 feet by up to 8 feet, 2,475 square feet
Item 2 · Taxes and fees
Certified property tax rate for fiscal 2025-26 (Resolution 2025-13)
Approved · 7-0
The council adopted the county's certified tax rate of 0.002193, which is designed to collect the same property tax revenue as last year plus new growth. Because the final rate arrived the day the budget was adopted, it could not be set then. Assistant Executive Director Glenn Symes said no change to budgeted property tax revenue was considered. In the work session, Finance Director Justin Sorensen said average residential value rose 2.4 percent to $431,940, annual city tax on such a home would be about $947.24, and revenue projections exceed what the rate yields by about $900,000; he recommended keeping the projection and watching revenue, while some members debated an immediate amendment. Appeals to the county Board of Equalization are due September 15, 2025.
- Budget$900,000
- Certified rate: 0.002193
- Residential taxable at 55 percent of value
Item 3 · Budget
Financial principles for fiscal 2025-26 (Joint Resolution 2025-4)
Approved · 7-0
The council and mayor adopted financial principles on general financial management, user fees, capital improvements, debt, investments and reserves. The only change from last year continues prioritizing funding for employee compensation and benefits under the 2024 Compensation and Benefit Plan.
Zoning
Work session: rezone of 155 West 14th Street from M-1 to C-3 or FLEX
Discussed
Planning Director Barton Brierley said G R I G, LLC petitioned to rezone 0.73 acres, the Iron House Gym property south of WinCo near Wall Avenue, from M-1 Limited Manufacturing to C-3 Regional Commercial or FLEX Industrial. The owner turned a 3,000-square-foot showroom into a tattoo parlor, a personal service use not allowed in M-1. The Planning Commission voted unanimously on May 7, 2025 to recommend C-3. Members asked about effects on neighbors; action was scheduled for July 15.
- Applicant: G R I G, LLC
- Acres: 0.73
- Current zone → proposed: M-1 → C-3 (Planning Commission recommendation) or FLEX Industrial
Budget
Work session: $8 million ARPA allocation and five unfunded firefighter positions
Discussed
Finance Director Justin Sorensen said administration again proposed allocating the $8 million of encumbered ARPA funds: $5 million to acquire and demolish the Weber County jail building, $2.5 million for Union Station Museum and campus improvements and $500,000 for an all-abilities park, after the council moved the money back to a restricted fund June 17. He also proposed adding five unfunded firefighter positions with no fiscal impact so the chief can hire ahead of retirements; Fire Chief Mike Mathieu said he cannot extend an offer until a position is vacant, and Council Member Graf asked why. Sorensen noted the police department has used the practice for years.
- Budget$8.00 million
Contract
Work session: fiscal 2025-26 arts grants
Discussed
Arts Administrator Lorie Buckley presented the Arts Advisory Committee's recommendations to fund 29 applications totaling $160,000: $64,000 in general support to nine groups and $96,000 in project support to 20, with awards ranging from $500 to $11,000. The largest general support awards are $11,000 each to Ogden Contemporary Arts, Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music and the Treehouse Children's Museum. A review subcommittee scored each application. Members noted requests may rise next year as federal funding sources are cut.
- Grant$160,000
What residents said
Paid parking on 25th StreetProperty tax rateHistoric preservation approvals
Nick Humphries, an artist with Gallery 25, LLC, said gallery members and neighboring businesses have not been consulted on a possible paid-parking program on 25th Street; the mayor referred him to David Sawyer. Travis Pate urged participation in the America 250 celebration. Debra Darrington discussed the Landmarks Commission process for a historic preservation project.