Council sets 0.000900 tax rate 4-1, repeals earlier rate, adopts $363,992,973 budget 4-1 and awards wastewater expansion bid
August 18, 2026, 4:00 p.m. · Eagle Mountain City Council Chambers, 1650 E Stagecoach Run, Eagle Mountain, Utah
The council repealed the 0.001500 property tax rate set August 6 (4-1, Council Member Rich Wood opposed) and approved a 0.000900 rate against the 0.000530 certified rate (4-1, Wood opposed), projected to add about $2,132,876, or 69.81 percent, over the prior year excluding new growth. After 28 speakers and 7 read comments, it adopted the fiscal 2026-27 budget of $363,992,973 4-1 with Council Member Zachory Huish opposed, removing $1 million for rodeo grounds and $2.5 million for land acquisition. It also awarded the wastewater treatment expansion bid, created the Mid-Valley community reinvestment area and approved a fifth Overland amendment 4-1. The meeting ended around 12:11 a.m.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1.A · Development
Pony Express Business Park (work session)
Discussed
Planner Steven Lehmitz asked for feedback on a possible development agreement; the applicant and the city engineer answered questions.
Item 1.B · City code
Archery overlay zone (work session)
Discussed
An intern presented a proposed code amendment creating a framework for archery ranges and asked for feedback.
Item 1.C · Other
City staffing analysis (work session)
Discussed
An intern presented the survey plan, groups to be surveyed, and objectives and asked for feedback.
Item 1.D · Public safety
Proposed policy on property tax funding for the sheriff's office (work session)
Discussed
Director Evan Berrett presented draft code limiting property tax revenue to public safety, identified challenges, and proposed instead a financial policy adopted by ordinance.
Item 9-11 · Other
Consent agenda: Brylee Farms Phase B Plat 4 bond release, minutes and fiscal 2025 audited financial statements
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Items were the bond release for The Towns at Brylee Farms Phase B Plat 4 (into warranty), the minutes of July 30 and August 4, 6 and 10, and the fiscal 2025 audited financial statements. Item 11.A was moved to scheduled items; context was added to 10.A and the Youth City Council term was clarified in 10.B.
Item 11.A · Roads and utilities
Wastewater treatment facility expansion bid award (6.0 MGD, GMP-2 oxidation ditch and site improvements)
Approved · 5-0
Assistant Public Works Director Mack Straw introduced the item and an engineer from Advanced Engineering (AE2S) presented the need, treatment process and cost breakdown. The bid and contract were awarded to MGC Contractors, Inc. The amount is not stated in the minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to MGC Contractors, Inc.
Item 13.A · Taxes and fees
Repeal of the property tax increase above the certified rate, fiscal 2026-27
Approved · 4-1
The council repealed the resolution adopted August 6 setting the 0.001500 rate. Council Member Rich Wood voted no.
Item 13.B · Taxes and fees
Property tax increase above the certified rate, fiscal 2026-27 (0.000900)
Approved · 4-1
The mayor reopened public comment at 8:34 p.m. and closed it at 9:55 p.m.; 28 people spoke and the recorder read comments from 7 others on the financial impact on residents, use of revenue, transparency, and support for more deputies and public safety. The council set a rate of 0.000900 against the certified 0.000530, projected to raise ad valorem budgeted revenue by about $2,132,876, or 69.81 percent, over the prior year excluding new growth.
- Budget$2.13 million
Item 13.C · Budget
Fiscal 2026-27 annual budget
Approved with conditions · 4-1
Director Kimberly Ruesch presented the budget process, funds, transfers, cost allocations and capital projects. Four people spoke at the 11:29 to 11:37 p.m. hearing and one submitted a letter, asking for an itemized accounting, opposing the property tax and a new city hall study, and raising data center partnerships and tax breaks and builders' share of infrastructure. The council adopted the budget after amending it to remove $1 million for rodeo grounds and $2.5 million for land acquisition, funding the remainder from reserves. Council Member Zachory Huish voted no.
- Budget$364.0 million
Item 12.A · City code
Preliminary plats and street names, code 16.20.040
Approved · 5-0
Planning Director Larsen gave an overview. No one spoke at the 11:55 p.m. hearing.
Item 12.B · City code
Final plats, code 16.25.040
Approved · 5-0
No one spoke at the 11:57 p.m. hearing.
Item 14.A · Taxes and fees
Mid-Valley community reinvestment area: interlocal agreement for collecting and remitting incremental sales tax revenue
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Director Berrett presented. The city attorney noted the agenda wrongly said property tax; the item concerns sales tax and was approved as amended. No amount is stated.
Item 14.B · Contract
Mid-Valley community reinvestment area participation agreement with Terra Smith's Eagle Mountain LLC
Approved · 4-1
Council Member Rich Wood voted no. No amount is stated.
- PaymentAmount not given to Terra Smith's Eagle Mountain LLC
Item 14.C · General plan
Ordinance adopting the Mid-Valley community reinvestment project area plan
Approved · 5-0
Adoption is contingent on Redevelopment Agency approval.
Item 14.D · Development
Fifth amendment to the amended and restated Overland master development agreement
Approved · 4-1
The city attorney highlighted the updates. Council Member Rich Wood voted no.
What residents said
Property tax increaseData centersSpeeding on Ira Hodges RoadPublic safety funding
Residents raised speeding on Ira Hodges Road and asked for more stop signs, opposed additional data center developments, and asked the city to create its own police department; the tax and budget hearings drew dozens more comments.