Council members question $948,546 Taylor Canyon park purchase and review Quality Neighborhoods renewal, arts grants and department budgets
May 26, 2026, 4:00 p.m. · Council Work Room, Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Boulevard
At a joint Council and Redevelopment Agency work session before the budget open house, members reviewed pay, Management Services and Community and Economic Development budgets, the RDA budget and the Quality Neighborhoods Initiative renewal. Staff reported a signed contract to buy about 2.6 acres of the former Taylor Canyon School site for a preliminary $948,546, and Vice Chair Dave Graf raised concerns about the cost. No votes were taken.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Budget
Employee compensation and benefits, FY2027
Discussed
Acting Human Resources Director Alison Workman presented a 2.18 percent cost-of-living adjustment and 0 to 4 percent merit increases tied to performance reviews on a bell-curve, totaling about $3.35 million. The city will absorb a 6 percent medical rate increase, about $638,150 in total medical cost. Full-time turnover was 13.71 percent and the proposed count is 698 full-time positions. Vice Chair Graf asked whether an employee premium share had been considered; none is proposed this year.
- Budget$3.35 million
- Budget$638,150
Budget
Management Services budget, fleet, facilities and Union Station capital funds
Discussed
Management Services Executive Director Lisa Stout described eliminating two positions (about $146,000 saved), moving four marketing positions to the Mayor's Office, a 10-year fleet plan averaging about $2.2 million a year and $1.5 million in facilities projects. For Union Station, $2.5 million in prior-year fund balance would be matched with $3.6 million in federal Crossroads of the West grant funds, about $6.1 million total; GSBS is doing a LiDAR scan before specific work. Council Member Lundell asked how taxpayer-funded communications will be kept separate from electoral politics; administration said it would follow up. Staff said the Ogden Raptors contract at Lindquist Field, which pays the city $100,000 a year, expires next year and a request for proposals is being considered.
- ContractAmount not given to GSBS
- Budget$6.10 million
Budget
Community and Economic Development and Redevelopment Agency budgets
Discussed
Executive Director Jared Johnson said the department budget fell just over $500,000 and the airport budget was cut $1 million, with no new airline routes close to announcement after Spirit Airlines' collapse. A fee study of building and business licenses is under way. The RDA budget includes a $2.5 million first-year capture in the Airport CRA, a $780,000 fifth payment to Union Pacific for the Union Station land, final payment on the 25th Street area debt, a $350,000 early payoff to Golden West on the Continental area and $1.5 million to housing and quality neighborhoods. Priorities include Wildcat Square, a Union Station historic reinvestment zone application, Capitol Square and the 5 Points study. Chair Hyer raised the balance of tenants and residents on the Airport Advisory Board. Proposed Schedule A changes would add $87,000 in RAMP revenue and move $335,000 for the 1100 North and Monroe signal into a holding fund until the community plan is updated.
- Land deal$780,000 to Union Pacific
- Payment$350,000 to Golden West
Parks
Taylor Canyon School property purchase (information item)
Discussed
Community Development Director Jeremy Smith said a purchase contract is signed with the Ogden City School District for about 2.6 acres on the east side of the former school site, used as a playground and park, at a preliminary price of $948,546 based on appraisal and subject to a survey. The district would keep about 1.3 acres on the west side for private sale and development. City Engineer Taylor Nielsen estimated about $100,000 more for irrigation and field work. Vice Chair Graf said the neighborhood already has several parks within a half mile, that costs would fall on all taxpayers, and that housing on the whole parcel would add property tax revenue. Council Member Myers asked why the plan changed from buying the whole parcel. Symes said the Council's role is the budget: funding from Business Depot Ogden revenue and unallocated capital funds would let the mayor complete the purchase unless removed.
- Land deal$948,546 to Ogden City School District
- Acres: about 2.6 city; about 1.3 retained by school district
City code
Quality Neighborhoods Initiative renewal and Business Depot Ogden ordinance
Discussed
Mr. Smith proposed renewing the 2016 Quality Neighborhoods Initiative as a citywide, needs-based program, noting the median home price rose from about $200,000 to $400,000 and renovation costs doubled, cutting annual acquisitions from 15 to 20 down to 4 to 7. Funds, about $1 million a year, would shift toward sidewalks, parks and lighting and private development through requests for proposals. Council Member Lundell asked whether it creates a separate funding lane beside the capital plan; Smith said it is a coordinating mechanism and land acquisition still needs Council votes. Symes said the Business Depot Ogden lease revenue ordinance, held pending this discussion, and the resolution would come the following week.
- Budget$1.00 million
Budget
FY2026-2027 arts grants recommendations
Discussed
Arts Administrator Lorie Buckley said $158,300 is available ($150,000 plus $8,300 in returned funds) and the subcommittee recommended 23 of 30 applications: nine general support grants totaling $78,500 and 14 project grants totaling $79,800. Applicants needed a score of at least 76. Council Member Shaun Myers said ordinance language fixing the split between categories should be revised; staff were asked to draft it. Council Member Flor Lopez disclosed a conflict from service on boards related to arts grants and recused herself.
- Grant$158,300
What residents said
Cost and need for Taylor Canyon parkSeparation of city communications from politicsAirport advisory board balance