Council adopts downtown paid parking ordinance and fees 5-2 and joins clean energy program 6-1; mayor presents $328 million budget

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Budget

   Mayor's proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget

   No action · 7-0

   Mayor Nadolski presented a budget with no tax increase, a total of $328 million and a general fund just under $100 million, up 5 percent and 4 percent year over year. It includes $6.1 million toward Union Station, $1.2 million for Lester Park, just over $11 million in utility infrastructure, more than $5 million in grant funding for roads and sidewalks, a 2.18 percent cost-of-living adjustment for general employees plus a 0 to 4 percent performance range, and steps for public safety. He cited projected sales tax growth of 5 percent, conversion of Engine 3 to four-person staffing, and five police positions made permanent. The Council voted to accept the budget for review.

   • Budget$328.0 million Total proposed FY2027 city budget (general fund just under $100 million). Paid from General and enterprise funds

   Moved by Council Member Ken Richey, seconded by Vice Chair Dave Graf. Vote: All voting aye (accepted for review)

2. Taxes and fees

   Ordinances 2026-5 and 2026-6: downtown managed parking system and parking fees

   Approved · 5-2 · Downtown Ogden: 25th Street, Kiesel Avenue, 23rd Street, Electric Alley, WonderBlock garage

   Ordinance 2026-5 sets the legal framework for paid parking and 2026-6 adopts the fees. The Council chose Option 2, which authorizes all three phases of the downtown plan subject to evaluation criteria, written findings and public notice before each expansion. Phase 1 covers 25th Street, Kiesel Avenue from 22nd to 24th Street, the WonderBlock garage, Electric Alley and part of 23rd Street, enforced Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at $1.50 to $2.00 per hour on-street and $1.00 to $1.50 off-street, with 15 free minutes, free Sundays and a 30-day free trial. Management Services Director Lisa Stout said conservative revenue would not cover debt service and operations, requiring Business Depot Ogden lease revenue during the ramp-up. Opponents among about two dozen speakers cited the BDO diversion, effects on 25th Street businesses and seniors, construction-reduced parking and timing; supporters, including the WonderBlock developer, argued turnover helps businesses. Council Member Myers said the shift from parking revenue covering the bond to BDO funds was troubling. Council Member Washington cited outdated study data, outreach gaps and a financial adviser opinion that the city is not legally required to impose fees to secure the bond, and urged tabling; Council Member Lundell preferred waiting until WonderBlock opens. Vice Chair Graf and Council Member Richey supported the phased approach. Council Member Lopez said Washington had a conflict of interest from owning a small business; Washington said her business has its own lot.

   • ContractAmount not given to Interstate Parking Parking ambassadors; contract already signed
   • ContractAmount not given to Passport Parking app, kiosks and enforcement system; three-year contract
   • Bond$40.0 million Speakers' estimate of Business Depot Ogden funds redirected to cover garage bond obligations over the life of the bond. Paid from Business Depot Ogden lease revenue
   • Rates: EV charging $2.75 to $3.00 per hour; daily maximum $15 to $18; unreserved permit $80 a month; employee permit processing fee $10 a month
   • Consultant: Kimley-Horn

   2026-5 (Option 2): Moved by Vice Chair Dave Graf, seconded by Council Member Shaun Myers. 2026-6: Moved by Council Member Shaun Myers, seconded by Vice Chair Dave Graf. Vote: 5-2 on both ordinances; Council Members Kevin Lundell and Alicia Washington voted no. Voting no: Council Member Kevin Lundell, Council Member Alicia Washington

   Follow Downtown managed parking system in the development tracker →

3. City code

   Ordinance 2026-7: participation in Community Clean Energy Program

   Approved · 6-1

   The ordinance enrolls Ogden in the Utah Renewable Communities program so Rocky Mountain Power can offer net-100 percent clean energy by 2030 to customers citywide on an opt-out basis. The residential cost is $4 a month ($3.88 plus $0.12 low-income surcharge); non-residential customers pay $0.006 per kilowatt hour; qualifying low-income customers receive a bill credit. Opting out is free in the first six months, then a one-time $30 fee applies. The city pays a one-time $51,774 to reimburse the utility for two opt-out mailings. Weber State offered to hire staff to help residents. Twenty-three speakers supported, citing renters' access, air quality and new generation; three opposed the opt-out structure and said rates were speculative. Vice Chair Graf and Council Members Lundell and Richey spoke in favor; the minutes do not record Chair Hyer's reasons at this meeting.

   • Payment$51,774 to Rocky Mountain Power One-time reimbursement for mailing two opt-out notices to all customers. Paid from City
   • Residential: $4.00 a month; non-residential: $0.006 per kWh plus $0.12 monthly
   • Six of 19 participating communities had adopted the ordinance

   Moved by Vice Chair Dave Graf, seconded by Council Member Kevin Lundell. Vote: 6-1; Chair Richard Hyer voted no. Voting no: Council Member Richard Hyer

4. Presentation

   Ogden City Youth Council annual report

   Discussed

   Communications Director Brandon Garside reported on the 2025-2026 Youth Council of 16 students from Ogden High, New NUAMES and Ben Lomond High, including tours, a Capitol visit and service projects at the Lantern House and the Marshall White Center.

5. Budget

   FY2027-2031 capital improvement plan, fire season plan and employee groups (work session)

   Discussed

   The proposed five-year capital plan has 61 projects totaling about $242 million, with $38.4 million in FY2027; a traffic signal at 1100 North and Monroe was found not to comply with the community plan, which calls for a roundabout. Fire Chief Mike Slater described restricted fireworks areas east of Harrison Boulevard and other hazard zones, with violations a Class B misdemeanor up to $1,000. The firefighters' union renewed a request for four-person engines; Chief Slater said converting the remaining stations would need nine more firefighters. The police association reported the department staffed at 154 officers. The work session also reviewed parking performance measures and a financial principles change removing an outside consultant for the five-year model.

   • Budget$242.0 million Proposed FY2027-2031 capital improvement plan, 61 projects. Paid from General fund, enterprise funds, RAMP and grants
   • Public hearing on capital plan tentatively June 16

6. Other

   Public comment: federal immigration facility, Institute construction access and other issues

   Discussed

   Blake Ham presented an analysis of arrivals at the federal hold room, stating about 25 percent fell outside the permitted 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours and asking the Council to direct code enforcement. Mayor Nadolski said he had asked staff to consolidate data sources into one analysis. Alex Johnson reported the proposed construction access through the Kingston neighborhood had not been used. Others raised the Fire Department inspection of a neighboring business, a proposed data center, and water infrastructure spending.

What residents said

Paid parking effect on 25th Street businessesBusiness Depot Ogden funds covering garage bondOpt-out structure of clean energy programFederal hold room permit hoursConstruction access in Kingston neighborhood

On paid parking, about 27 speakers, mostly 25th Street business owners and residents, mostly opposed over the bond funding shortfall, customer impact and timing; the WonderBlock developer, a regional transportation planner and a property owner supported. On clean energy, 23 supported and three opposed. Others raised the federal hold room, Kingston neighborhood construction access, and a heritage park plan.