Ogden council work session reviews arts grants, salary schedules and final budget adjustments

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Budget

   Proposed arts grant awards

   Discussed

   Arts Administrator Lorie Buckley summarized how the Arts Advisory Committee scored 31 applications requesting $248,500 (11 for $130,000 in general operating support and 20 for $118,500 in project support) against an expected $150,000 budget. Council members asked about the difference between general and project support and how the share of a project funded is set. A hearing is set for August 6, after which the council can act.

   • Grant$150,000 Fiscal 2024-25 arts grants. 31 applications scored by the Arts Advisory Committee. Paid from City budget

2. Budget

   Proposed salary schedules

   Discussed

   Council Deputy Director Glenn Symes said the schedules, updated to include the McGrath compensation study, set ranges for elected officials, non-merit special employees, merit employees and sworn fire and police. No raise for elected officials is proposed. Full implementation would need an additional $87,350 across all funds, $85,400 of it in the general fund, on top of the $4,657,950 already set aside.

   • Budget$87,350 Additional cost to fully implement the compensation study. Paid from General fund $85,400; other funds the remainder

3. Budget

   Schedule A-1 budget adjustments

   Discussed

   Comptroller Justin Sorensen said most general fund changes respond to the McGrath study, netting about $85,000, with added money for the Home Exterior Loan Program from water and sewer funds and recognition of state and federal grants. Council Member Angela Choberka asked about year-end surplus; Sorensen said unspent funds go to fund balance, and the state caps that balance at 35%. The council has yet to decide the final property tax rate and any further cost-of-living adjustments.

4. Taxes and fees

   Central Weber Sewer District tax notice

   Discussed

   Council Member Richard Hyer reported the Central Weber Sewer District is considering a property tax increase, which state law requires member cities to notice. Council staff will work with the district on a notice for the city website.