Council trims property tax hike to 5.7%, adopts 2026-27 budget
August 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The American Fork City Council voted 4-1 to raise property taxes 5.7%, adding $435,000 a year mostly to staff a new fire station, instead of the 8.7% ($660,000) increase it had advertised; Councilmember Tim Holley voted no. The cut was made possible by $100,000 in insurance savings and a $125,000 reduction in economic development spending. The council then adopted the fiscal 2027 budget 5-0. The agenda also included a $360,100 cemetery expansion, a Lake Shore Drive land exchange and the mayor's appointment to the Utah Lake Authority; outcomes of those items are not yet documented because the minutes have not been posted.
From the agenda and city or news reports of the results; minutes not yet posted.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Consent 5 · Development
Reimbursement agreement, Bridges at Fox Hollow Plat B (Bridge Haven)
Pending
Reimbursement of up to $33,383.85 to developer Bridge Haven for city-standard road, curb and gutter, pressurized irrigation, culinary water and sidewalk improvements built on city property in the Mary and Art Dye Park parking lot and 1120 North, for the 31.209-acre Bridges at Fox Hollow Plat B.
- Payment$33,384 to Bridge Haven
- Road $13,861.50; curb/gutter $2,613.60; PI $6,972.50; culinary $6,574.50; sidewalk $3,361.75
Item Consent 6 · Roads and utilities
Reimbursement agreement with Deborah and Maurice Navarro, 247 E. 700 North
Pending
Reimbursement of up to $38,085 for upsizing 700 North (a legacy arterial with 44 feet of asphalt) and a 10-foot side path beyond the minimum improvements required for the Navarro home on a 1.678-acre parcel: up to $29,440 from road impact fees and $8,645 from park impact fees.
- Payment$29,440 to Deborah and Maurice Navarro
- Payment$8,645 to Deborah and Maurice Navarro
- Total: $38,085
Item 1 · Taxes and fees
2026 property tax rate
Approved · 4-1
Staff offered three options: A, the advertised 8.7% increase ($660,000; rate 0.001516; $2.78 a month on a $502,000 home); B, 5.7% ($435,000; rate 0.001475; $1.87 a month) using $100,000 in insurance savings and a $125,000 cut to economic development; or C, the certified rate of 0.001395 with cuts to playground replacement and vehicle purchases. The council chose Option B, setting the rate at 0.001475. Councilmember Clark Taylor said he was 'more in favor of the reduced' 5.7%; Councilmember Ernie John warned against using reserves because of the bond rating; Holley said residents 'are getting hammered' and criticized how the increase was explained; Councilmember Ryan Hunter argued for smaller, more frequent increases.
- Budget$435,000
- Budget$225,000
- Adopted rate: 0.001475 (certified rate 0.001395)
- New revenue: $435,000 (5.7%)
- Purpose: partial staffing of Fire Station 53
- Shift: $225,000 to fire personnel
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal 2027 budget adoption
Approved · 5-0
Final budget for July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027, adjusted to the adopted 5.7% tax rate; an interim budget had been adopted in June because of the proposed tax increase. Mayor Bradley Frost called the budget 'the most important thing we do.'
- Fiscal year: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027
Item 3 · Roads and utilities
CDBG subrecipient agreement for King Street water line
Pending
Agreement with Utah County to receive a $420,000 Community Development Block Grant for replacing water lines on King Street between 100 North and 500 East; the city has budgeted $448,850 as its 50% match.
- Grant$420,000 to Utah County (CDBG)
- Budget$448,850
- Grant: $420,000
- City match: $448,850
Item 4 · Development
Revised pioneering agreement with AFEW1 LLC, Edgewater North / The Yard
Pending
Revised version of the July 14 pioneering agreement for 200 South off-site roadway improvements, with changes made after earlier council discussion. No city budget impact.
Item 5 · Parks
Cemetery improvements and $220,000 columbarium purchase
Pending
Approval to build the cemetery expansion presented Aug. 4: 800 traditional burial spaces, 320 cremation niches and 400 ossuary spaces, and a $220,000 purchase from Rocky Mountain Monument and Vault. Total cost $360,100; staff project $2,476,000 in future revenue. Lot sales capacity would rise from 6.99 to 14.51 years.
- Purchase$220,000 to Rocky Mountain Monument and Vault
- Budget$360,100
- Cost: $360,100
- Projected revenue: $2,476,000
Item 6 · Roads and utilities
Lake Shore Drive real estate exchange with Frandsen family entities
Pending
Removes a condition from a March 25, 2025 land exchange with NBFF Property, Harbor View Development, Rammell Prospective, Russgan, NPF Investments and Walking the Wire LLCs (Frandsen family) so it can be recorded while the Harbor Road Plat E 2 and Julie Clark 2 annexations are finalized. The exchange shifts the Lake Shore Drive alignment south.
- Original approval: March 25, 2025
Item 7 · Public safety
Disposition of lost, mislaid or seized property
Pending
Resolution letting police dispose of unclaimed property, applying proceeds to law enforcement services; firearms handled under state law.
Item 8 · Appointment
Mayor Frost appointed to Utah Lake Authority board
Pending
American Fork was voted onto the Utah Lake Authority Governing Board Aug. 13; the resolution names Mayor Bradley Frost as the city's representative.
Item 9 · Other
Closed session
Pending
Closed session on property, litigation and the character or competence of individuals.
What residents said
Property tax increaseOversized accessory building at 731 N. 900 West
The minutes have not been posted. The American Fork Citizen reported that Lehi resident Dale Stewart first raised concerns at this meeting about a large accessory building approved at 731 N. 900 West.