Budget retreat sets road connectivity, Fire Station 53, public works facility and fiber as fiscal 2026 goals
February 20, 2025, 4:30 p.m. · Fox Hollow Golf Course, 1400 N. 200 East
At a two-day budget workshop Feb. 20-21, the council and staff reviewed a community survey ranking a new fitness center, parks, a third fire station and FrontRunner access as top capital wishes, and set fiscal 2026 goals including road connections on Lakeshore Drive to 1500 South, 700 North, 620 South, 700 West and the 200 South expansion, plus a public works complex, Fire Station 53, citywide fiber and downtown economic development. Staff said capital requests topped $30 million, expenditures are outpacing revenues, and the city's share of the governor's housing goal is about 1,905 new units including 394 starter homes by 2028.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| FY2025 goals, capital and budget status | Discussed |
| Utah strategic housing plan | Discussed |
| General plan, station area plan and department outlooks | Discussed |
| FY2026 budget and capital outlook and strategic goals | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Community survey results
Discussed
1,725 online responses (about 4% of population); 88% happy with quality of life; top capital preferences: new fitness center, more parks, third fire station, FrontRunner access.
Item 2 · Budget
FY2025 goals, capital and budget status
Discussed
Fiber mid-level design 80% done; police took the third floor of the police/courts building; city pursuing property for public works. City obtained title to a 30-acre parcel on the south side for a park. 200 South Phase I (Frontage Road to 570 West, with roundabout) complete, Phase II awaiting property acquisition; 300 West roundabout in design with resident traffic concerns noted; Auto Mall Drive connection in design; other road projects: 700 North connector, 1100 South 500 East roundabout, Lakeshore Drive, 1500 South 860 East signal and widening. 36-inch waterline and 100 East waterline complete; PI metering Phase 3 due May 2025. Revenue up about 7%, expenditures up about 12%. Debt: 2015/2016 PI GO bonds to FY2035; 2018 sales tax bond (Art Dye Park, cemetery) to FY2028; Station 52 GO bond to FY2038; 2020 water revenue bonds (36-inch line to TOD) to FY2052; 200 South tax increment bond to FY2047. PARC tax has brought in over $12 million since 2015.
Item 3 · Other
Utah strategic housing plan
Discussed
Bunker said American Fork's proportional share of the governor's goal is 394 starter homes and 1,905 total units by 2028; he asked staff to track single-family homes built from January 2025. Members discussed land costs, parking, water supply and residents' preference for detached homes.
Item 4 · General plan
General plan, station area plan and department outlooks
Discussed
Population grew from 33,337 (2020) to about 45,335 with 4,873 new units. Police face wage competition and space; fire apparatus costs up 50-100%, a new station needs 15 employees, and Station 51 needs about 4,000 sq. ft. or Station 53 sooner; public works needs space and has a water rights application facing four protests. GO bond capacity is largest but requires a vote.
Item 5 · Budget
FY2026 budget and capital outlook and strategic goals
Discussed
Capital requests exceeded $30 million; expenditures outpacing revenue; residents prefer small, regular property tax increases. FY2026 goals: roads (maintenance, communication, connectivity: Lakeshore Drive to 1500 South, 700 North 100 East-200 East, 620 South, 700 West, 200 South expansion); fiber; economic development (downtown, south-side businesses); public facilities (public works, fitness center, Fire Station 53, Station 51 remodel, police third floor, evidence at Station 52).
- Capital requests: over $30 million
What residents said
Fitness center condition (survey)Growth and housing affordabilityFrontRunner access