Council adopts tentative budget with proposed 9% property tax increase for third fire station
May 12, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The council adopted a tentative fiscal 2027 budget and a property tax impact schedule proposing a 9% city property tax increase, about $34 a year on a median $492,300 home, to pay for four of nine firefighters needed at a new south-side station. It set the Truth in Taxation hearing for Aug. 11, held a hearing with no comment on declaring city land near 1000 North 700 West surplus, and hired Infrastructure Power Group for streetlight maintenance and Sunrise Engineering for backup building inspections. The Parks and Recreation Committee chair urged a bond for a new recreation center.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item PH 1 · Other
Hearing on declaring city property near 1000 N. 700 West surplus
Discussed
Hearing on declaring a small city-owned parcel at about 1000 North 700 West surplus so it can be sold; no public comment. (A sale to Keaton Wall for $6,338.09 came to the council July 14.)
Item 2-4 · Public safety
Swearing in of police officers Tanner Ballamis, Delton Choates and Kelepi Makai
No action
Mayor Frost administered the oath to three new police officers.
Item Consent 3 · Development
Release of $45,313.44 construction guarantee, Ragan residence, 425 N. 900 East
Approved · 4-0
Consent release of the improvements construction guarantee and notice of acceptance for public improvements at the Ragan residence.
- Payment$45,313
- Amount: $45,313.44
Item Consent 4 · Contract
Ratification of agreement with Modern Display for Royalty Float
Approved · 4-0
Consent ratification of an agreement with Modern Display to build the city royalty parade float; amount not stated in minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to Modern Display
Item Consent 5 · Budget
Ratification of payments April 8-May 5, 2026, and purchases over $50,000
Approved · 4-0
Routine consent ratification; itemized list is in the packet.
Item S1-S2 · Taxes and fees
Budget officer statements on proposed tax increase (HB 236)
No action
Finance Director Anna Montoya made the statements now required by HB 236 that the tentative fiscal 2027 budget includes a proposed property tax rate increase.
Item 3 · Taxes and fees
Property tax impact schedule
Approved · 4-0
Schedule states the proposed 9% increase would raise $660,000, about $34 a year ($2.83 a month) on a median $492,300 home, 1.4% of a total tax bill. Nine new firefighter/paramedics for a south-side station cost $1,415,000; the increase funds four, with $755,000 absorbed elsewhere. Without it only five of nine positions would be filled. Last increase was in 2021; CPI since is 18%.
- Budget$1.42 million
- Resolution No. 2026-05-18R
- New revenue: $660,000
- Station staffing: $1,415,000 for 9 positions
Item 4 · Budget
Tentative fiscal 2027 budget; June 9 hearing set
Approved · 4-0
Tentative budget adopted after three work sessions and a May 5 open house that no residents attended. Mayor Frost said the city will use an existing house as a temporary south-side fire station rather than build one now.
- Resolution No. 2026-05-21R
- Hearing: June 9, 2026
Item 5 · Taxes and fees
Intent to exceed certified tax rate; Aug. 11 Truth in Taxation hearing
Approved · 4-0
Resolution stating the council's intent to consider a rate above the certified rate (due from the county in mid-June) and setting the Aug. 11 hearing.
- Resolution No. 2026-05-22R
Item 6 · Appointment
Appointment of Ric Cantrell to Historic Preservation Commission
Approved · 4-0
Term ending 2030.
Item 7 · Taxes and fees
Facility rental fees
Approved · 4-0
Updated fee schedule for facility rentals, including full-day rental of the Quail Cove Park amphitheater; staff said fees for events over 500 people cover police costs.
- Resolution No. 2026-05-23R
Item 8 · City code
Special events definition and denial appeal process
Approved · 4-0
Amended city code Sections 5.06.010 (definition of special events) and 5.06.040 (administrative review when a special event permit is denied).
Item 9 · Contract
Master services agreement with Sunrise Engineering for building inspections
Approved · 4-0
Agreement lets the city use Sunrise Engineering for building inspections when staff cannot meet the state's three-day inspection deadline; Councilmember John said the city has used Sunrise for a long time. Amount not stated in minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to Sunrise Engineering
- Repeat vendor per Councilmember John
Item 10 · Contract
Streetlight repair and maintenance contract with Infrastructure Power Group
Approved · 4-0
Accepted Infrastructure Power Group's proposal and authorized a professional services agreement for streetlight repair, construction and maintenance. Councilmember Hunter said it saves money without cutting service; Councilmember Taylor said the packet was unclear. Amount not stated in minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to Infrastructure Power Group
- Selected through request for proposals
Item 11 · Other
Closed session on sale or purchase of real estate
Approved · 4-0
Closed session 8:16-8:58 p.m.
What residents said
New recreation center bond
Isaac Paxman, a former Provo deputy mayor, introduced his campaign for Utah County commissioner. Scott Roudabush, chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, said the committee unanimously supports a bond for a new recreation center or substantial Fitness Center improvements.