Council certifies 2021 election, re-electing Mayor Frost and renewing PARC tax for 10 years
November 16, 2021, 4:00 p.m. · City Administration Conference Room, 51 E. Main St.
Sitting as the Board of Canvassers, the American Fork City Council certified the Nov. 2 election, declaring Mayor Brad Frost and Councilmembers Staci Carroll and Ryan Hunter elected and Proposition 5, the PARC sales tax, approved for 10 more years. Council members then pressed state legislators for help with a roughly $60 million freeway flyover at 1020 West, local road funding options, public safety radio mandates and pressurized irrigation meters. A finance review showed the general fund balance at $11.2 million, or 35%, as of June 30, 2021, prompting Councilmember Rob Shelton to warn revenue would not keep pace with growth.
From the draft minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Canvass and certification of Nov. 2, 2021, municipal general election | Approved · 4-0 |
| Review of the city's financial position | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item Special 1 · Other
Canvass and certification of Nov. 2, 2021, municipal general election
Approved · 4-0
City Recorder Terilyn Lurker presented the general election results. The council convened as the Board of Canvassers and certified the results: Brad Frost elected mayor, Staci Carroll and Ryan Hunter elected to the council, and Proposition 5 (PARC sales and use tax) approved for 10 years.
- PARC tax renewed for 10 years
- Councilmember Taylor absent for votes
Item WS 1 · Presentation
Discussion with state legislators on city issues
Discussed
Rep. Kay Christofferson and Sen. Mike Kennedy discussed redistricting, a proposed Utah Lake Commission bill, and city priorities: a freeway overpass/flyover connecting The Meadows and Pioneer Crossing at 1020 West (estimated at about $60 million, involving the city, UDOT, UTA and possibly Woodbury Corporation), a road linking 1020 West to 700 West at 200 South, a local-option tax or utility fee for roads, public safety retention and retirement, the cost of state-mandated handheld and mobile radios, and grant help for pressurized irrigation meters amid drought.
- Budget$60.0 million
- Flyover at 1020 West estimated at about $60 million
- City applied for a grant to install pressurized irrigation meters
- Councilmember Carroll and Shelton asked for a local road tax/utility fee option
Item WS 2 · Budget
Review of the city's financial position
Discussed
Finance Officer Anna Montoya reviewed general fund revenues and expenditures since 2012. Since fiscal 2019 revenues have exceeded expenditures; GO bond payments were shifted to a property tax levy starting FY2019; the fund balance reached $11.2 million (35%, the maximum) on June 30, 2021. Councilmember Shelton argued CARES Act money drove the jump, while Councilmember Hunter disputed that; Montoya cited rising sales tax and lower spending. The last city property tax increase was in 2008. Shelton proposed five revenue ideas: using PARC tax for operations, the justice court, leasing the police/courts building, renting recreation fields, and fiber.
- Fund balance June 30, 2021: $11.2 million (35%)
- Last property tax increase: 2008
- ARPA funds to be earmarked for a project, not operations