Wednesday, October 14, 2026TheUtah Ledger
American Fork · City Council work session

Proposed $143 million budget holds property tax flat; new fees target cuts into newly paved roads

May 20, 2025, 4:00 p.m. · City Administration Conference Room, 51 E. Main St.

Finance Officer Anna Montoya presented a proposed fiscal 2026 citywide budget of $143,071,695, about 53% of it capital spending, with no property tax increase and fewer full-time positions. Proposed fee changes include up to $5,000 for cutting into roads less than two years old, a free first eight hours of lane closures, and new Boat Harbor fees, while the city will absorb a 3.5% Republic Services garbage increase. Members also heard about a library consortium with Pleasant Grove and Highland and Alpine School District's interim superintendent.

From the approved minutes.

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

  1. Item 1 · Presentation

    Alpine School District presentation

    Discussed

    Board member Sara Beeson explained hiring Rob Smith as interim superintendent from July 1 to guide the split into three districts; Forbes Elementary regains about $9 million in Title I funding.

  2. Item 2 · Other

    Proposed Timpanogos Library Consortium

    Discussed

    Library Director Casandria Crane described a shared catalog and three-day-a-week courier with Pleasant Grove and Highland, with annual review; Hunter asked about cost fairness.

  3. Item 3 · Taxes and fees

    Proposed FY2026 general fee schedule

    Discussed

    Road cut fees up to $5,000 for roads 0-2 years old; first 8 hours of lane closures free; half fees for boring instead of trenching; reduced plan review fees for repeat plans per state law and valuation-based residential review fees; city absorbs 3.5% Republic Services sanitation increase (about $1/month); utility hardship discount extended to all city utilities for residents 65+ under $40,840 income; Boat Harbor $5/day parking, $10 launch, $80 season pass.

    • Road cut fee: up to $5,000
    • Sanitation contractor: Republic Services (3.5% annual escalator)
  4. Item 4 · Budget

    Review of proposed FY2026 budget book

    Discussed

    Citywide total $143,071,695, about 53% capital; general fund balanced with public safety about 53%; FTEs reduced through unfilled retirements; new Economic Development Division under Development Services; building maintenance moved to an internal service fund; no property tax increase; adoption planned June 10.

    • Budget$143.1 million Proposed FY2026 citywide budget. Paid from All city funds
    • Citywide budget: $143,071,695
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