Budget adds 14.8 positions including three police officers and an arborist; council splits over forester versus roads
June 7, 2022, 4:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
Finance Director Anna Montoya presented a balanced fiscal 2023 budget with general fund spending up $3.7 million and 14.8 new full-time-equivalent positions, a 5% increase, including three police officers, a planner and a city arborist, paid partly by a property tax increase of about $10 a month per home. Councilmember Rob Shelton argued the arborist money should go to roads and that park strips should be homeowners' responsibility; Councilmembers Staci Carroll and Ryan Hunter backed the arborist. The council also reviewed fee changes, including per-ticket fees for for-profit park events and false-alarm fees.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Fiscal 2023 budget | Discussed |
| General fee schedule update | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Fiscal 2023 budget
Discussed
General fund expenditures rise $3.7 million for inflation, services and competitive wages; fund balance at 35% of revenues. New positions: 3 police officers, 2 part-time police records clerks, full-time deputy fire marshal, streets technician, planner, storm drain coordinator and inspector, water technician, a full-time arborist (75% general fund, 25% irrigation) plus $100,000 for contract tree trimming phased out in year two, and staff for the library, parks and Senior Center. Shelton wanted roads to reach a remaining service life of 12 and called for a sidewalk replacement program instead of a forester; Hunter said the council should let the city manager manage. Barnes opposed spending on the Fitness Center beyond needed repairs until a plan exists.
- Budget$3.70 million
- Budget$100,000
- New FTEs: 14.8 (5% increase)
- General fund increase: $3.7 million
- Contract tree trimming: $100,000
Item 2 · Taxes and fees
General fee schedule update
Discussed
Proposed changes: per-ticket fee for for-profit events in parks, $1 library fax fee, tiered fire false-alarm and inspection fees (first two alarms free), $500 land-disturbance permit for storm water reviews, zoning confirmation letter fee and annexation fees based on staff time. A planned water rate increase was postponed again.