Bluffdale: underpass notes, audit transfer and public safety fee
The Ledger's review of Bluffdale's budgets, audits, debt and redevelopment money. Every story in the series, sorted by subject, with the figures the records show and links to the official documents.
Start here
Auditing Bluffdale: What the city's audit and budget show
Bluffdale's auditors gave clean opinions on its fiscal 2025 statements. The city's general fund budget for fiscal 2027 is about $17.3 million, and capital spending this year is dominated by the 14600 South railroad underpass. This series examines the records behind those numbers.
Read the explainer →Key figures
- $29.44 millionRevenue bond principal outstanding at June 30, 2025Auditing Bluffdale: What the city's audit and budget show →
- $17.3 millionFiscal 2027 general fund budgetAuditing Bluffdale: What the city's audit and budget show →
- $30 millionUnderpass bond anticipation notes reported closed May 27, 2026Bluffdale's $30 million underpass notes: two city records describe repayment differently →
- $4.6 millionTransfer shown in opposite directions in the FY2025 auditBluffdale's audit note shows a $4.6 million transfer opposite to its statements →
- $16.20Monthly residential public safety feeBluffdale raises its public safety fee to $16.20 a month on a 4-1 vote →
- $355,000Proposed shift from Saratoga Springs contract to city police payBluffdale's police plan leaves later payments to Saratoga Springs unset →
- $9.46 millionEastern Bluffdale EDA property tax increment, fiscal 2025Eastern Bluffdale EDA's tax increment ends, shifting property tax back to the city →
- $27.7 millionPaid to RLW/SWI Joint Venture Team LP, the city's largest payee in FY2026, as reported to the stateTransparent Utah: Bluffdale City highest-paid vendors FY2026 →
Debt and bonds
Bluffdale's $30 million underpass notes: two city records describe repayment differently
A legal notice says the principal on Bluffdale's 2026 bond anticipation notes is payable only from a future bond issue. The city's adopted budget says the note is planned to be repaid with state funds. The records reviewed don't include the closing documents or a state funding agreement.
Redevelopment money
Eastern Bluffdale EDA's tax increment ends, shifting property tax back to the city
The Eastern Bluffdale economic development area collected $9.46 million in property tax increment in fiscal 2025 and is budgeted to collect none in fiscal 2027. The city's budget shows its own property tax revenue and public safety transfer rising, while the area's fees to the general fund end.
Budgets, reserves and taxes
Bluffdale raises its public safety fee to $16.20 a month on a 4-1 vote
The City Council voted 4-1 in June to raise the residential public safety fee to $16.20 a month, with the same percentage increase for businesses and apartments. The budget projects $1,224,000 from the fee, up from $750,000. The city's rates page still listed 2024 fees on Oct. 16.
Contracts and spending
Bluffdale's police plan leaves later payments to Saratoga Springs unset
October meeting materials propose a Bluffdale police department and a new agreement with Saratoga Springs, which has policed the city since 2013. The draft agreement leaves payments after December 2026 to later amendments, and a proposed budget change shifts $355,000 from the contract to city salaries and benefits.
Audits and compliance
Bluffdale's audit note shows a $4.6 million transfer opposite to its statements
A table in the notes to Bluffdale's fiscal 2025 audit shows $4.6 million moving from the water fund to the Local Building Authority. The financial statements and budget book show it moving the other way, a year after the water fund sent the authority $7 million.