Council adopts HUD annual action plan 6-0; RDA authorizes Wildcat Square survey area 4-2; severe drought triggers water restrictions

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 3a · Budget

   Resolution 2026-3: FY2027 Annual Action Plan for HUD funds

   Approved · 6-0

   The plan sets how the city will use federal housing and development grants from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Community Development Director Jeremy Smith listed $500,000 in CDBG plus $767,278 HOME and $205,119 match for purchase-rehab-resale, $40,000 for emergency home repair, $500,000 HOME plus $100,000 match for down payment help (50 loans), $72,883 for infill housing, $1,786,943 CDBG for target-area public improvements, $250,000 for microenterprise help, $350,000 for small business loans, $744,580 HOME-ARP for rental assistance for 70 homeless persons and $525,239 for administration. The Ogden Housing Authority administers the rental assistance, chosen through a request for proposals. No one spoke at the public hearing. Council Member Richey was excused.

   • Grant$1.79 million CDBG for target-area public improvements. Paid from HUD CDBG
   • Grant$744,580 to Ogden Housing Authority Tenant-based rental assistance for about 70 homeless persons. Selected through a request for proposals. Paid from HOME-ARP
   • Administration: $525,239

   Moved by Council Member Shaun Myers, seconded by Council Member Flor Lopez. Vote: 6-0; Council Member Ken Richey absent

2. Item 3a · Budget

   Resolution 2026-4: Consolidated Plan Amendment #2

   Approved · 6-0 · Low-to-moderate income neighborhoods

   The amendment expands the Target Area Public Improvements program to cover parks, playground equipment, restrooms, parking lot repairs and ADA upgrades in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods, and raises the goal to one project a year for the rest of the plan. It does not change funding. Smith said no single project has been designated yet; one project is the HUD minimum.

   Moved by Council Member Kevin Lundell, seconded by Council Member Richard Hyer. Vote: 6-0; Council Member Ken Richey absent

3. Item 2b · Development

   Wildcat Square Community Reinvestment survey area, RDA Resolution 2026-3

   Approved · 4-2 · Weber State University campus, bounded by Playfield Way, West Campus Drive, Village Drive and the OGX bus lane

   Sitting as the Redevelopment Agency board, the council considered a survey area on part of a parcel on the Weber State University campus bounded by Playfield Way, West Campus Drive, Village Drive and the OGX bus lane. The results report lists the resolution as adopted 4-2; no minutes of the RDA meeting were provided and the report does not name the two members who voted no. In public comment, Travis Pate said a report misstated the housing history near campus and that a reinvestment area could create a self-contained campus development.

   • Authorizes study only, per later remarks by staff

   Vote: 4-2 (RDA board), per the city's meeting results report; the two no votes are not named

   Follow Wildcat Square student housing and CRA survey area in the development tracker →

4. Public safety

   Water conservation: severe drought designation (work session)

   Discussed

   Public Services Executive Director Justin Anderson said the state moved Weber County into severe drought, triggering Phase 2 of the city's Water Shortage Management Plan: a recommended 10 percent cut for residents and 15 percent for businesses, with a mandatory ban on outdoor irrigation from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Snowpack was 18 to 19 percent of normal; Weber Basin storage was about 68 percent. A mayoral declaration was expected that week, and the city's water conservationist could cite violations. Utah Water Savers rebates of up to $100 apply to smart controllers.

5. Budget

   Proposed FY2027 budget: general fund, Business Depot Ogden, utility transfers, City Attorney and Municipal Building Authority (work session)

   Discussed

   Finance Director Justin Sorensen said the proposed general fund is just over $99 million, with sales tax about 28 percent and property tax about 23 percent. Sales tax was running about 3 percent ahead of budget and the budget assumes 5 percent growth; property tax rises just over $100,000 plus about $223,000 in estimated new growth. Business Depot Ogden allocations total about $6.7 million, including $4 million to the capital fund and $1.7 million for Mount Ogden golf irrigation; Council Member Lundell questioned a second year of golf subsidies and suggested an interfund loan. A 12 percent utility transfer to the general fund (about $7.5 million) was explained as equivalent to property tax and franchise fees. The Municipal Building Authority budget rises about $3.8 million, mostly from $4.7 million in bond interest, of which about $3.4 million is proposed for street work around the parking structures. City Attorney Gary Williams requested no increase beyond compensation adjustments.

   • Budget$99.0 million Proposed FY2027 general fund. Paid from Sales tax, property tax and other revenue
   • Budget$6.70 million Proposed FY2027 Business Depot Ogden lease revenue project allocations. Paid from Business Depot Ogden lease revenue
   • Water, storm and sanitary rate adjustment 2.88 percent; additional 4 percent for water for Canyon Waterline debt; refuse 2.7 percent

6. Budget

   Proposed FY2025-2026 year-end budget amendments (work session)

   Discussed

   Sorensen presented amendments totaling just over $22 million citywide, of which over $950,000 is grant-related, $16 million one-time funding and nearly $4.5 million internal transfers. Proposals include $2 million in recognized interest income moved to the capital fund and $2 million to cover police wages above budget after full staffing and lateral hires, $157,000 to close the airport South Apron funding gap, $150,000 for the Merci Box Car enclosure, and funding for contracted encampment cleanup by Servpro after federal pandemic funds ran out. A fleet replacement of about $3.8 million includes 17 police vehicles. A public hearing was tentatively set for June 2.

   • Budget$22.0 million Proposed FY2026 year-end budget amendments, citywide. Paid from Grants, one-time funds, interest income, fund balance
   • ContractAmount not given to Servpro Cleanup of homeless encampments and hazardous locations. Paid from State homeless mitigation funds from FY2027 after ARPA funds were exhausted

7. Other

   Public comment: immigration facility, WonderBlock, data center and Wildcat Square

   Discussed

   Residents urged action on the federal hold facility, citing a Colorado city's permit revocation; Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown said local authority over federal operations is limited and the city is not changing the permit. Laura Lewis asked about the city's joint venture with J. Fisher Companies for the WonderBlock parking structure; Brown said it was the original structure approved with the bond, and Council Member Washington cited a 2020 agreement restated in January 2023. Speakers also raised a proposed Box Elder County data center and urged support for Council Member Lopez.

What residents said

Immigration facility permitData center water and power useWildcat Square reinvestment areaDowntown paid parkingDrought restrictions

Emily Fox, Joshua Creek and others urged action on the federal hold room permit. Laura Lewis asked about the WonderBlock joint venture. Travis Pate questioned the Wildcat Square reinvestment area. Benjamin Cannon and Emily Fox raised the proposed Box Elder County data center. Two speakers offered support to the Council; one said downtown paid parking affected his 25th Street business.