Weber County jail building acquisition
Mayor Nadolski proposes using $5 million of ARPA funds to buy and demolish the aging Weber County jail building to open space for downtown redevelopment. On June 17, 2025 the council moved the $8 million set aside for it and two other projects back to a restricted fund pending more discussion; administration re-proposed the allocation on July 1.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Site plan
- Location
- Downtown Ogden
- Applicant
- Ogden City
Every hearing and vote
June 17, 2025 · City Council
Budget goals, salary schedules and final fiscal 2025-26 budget (Resolution 2025-12, Ordinances 2025-17 and 2025-19)
Approved with conditions · 5-2
The council approved budget goals and guidelines (7-0) and salary schedules (7-0), which include a 2.97 percent cost-of-living raise, a 4 percent step increase for sworn staff, a net one new position and up to a 2 percent merit increase. Council Member Myers said he would vote for them but objected to the half-point merit increase, saying it raises Ogden's average raise to about 4.97 percent versus a national average near 3.5 percent and compounds each year, and noted debt-service sources for the WonderBlock, Union Station and Marshall N. White Center bonds are not finalized. On the budget, which is about 7.8 percent above last year, Council Member Graf moved to adopt it while moving $8 million of ARPA funds from the three projects back to the future projects fund. Vice Chair Hyer asked that the $5 million for buying the Weber County jail building stay, citing ongoing negotiations that cannot be disclosed; Mayor Nadolski said he wants to acquire and demolish the aging building to open downtown space, possibly for a future Winter Olympics medals plaza. Graf, Blair, Choberka, Richey and Chair White voted yes; Myers and Hyer voted no. The county's certified tax rate arrived the same day and the budget projected about $900,000 more property tax than it will yield.
- Resolution 2025-12 and Ordinance 2025-17: 7-0
- Ordinance 2025-19 (final budget) with amended Schedule A-1: 5-2
July 1, 2025 · City Council
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.