Orem council adopts 2021-22 budget with no property tax increase and approves $1.07 million in utility fund transfers

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Public safety

   Work session: North Utah Valley Animal Shelter euthanasia method

   Discussed

   The shelter's representative acknowledged it uses carbon monoxide for euthanasia, said it euthanizes 86 animals a year, called the method painless and humane, and said costs are roughly equal across methods. He said the shelter is researching methods and will bring its preferred method to its board by July. Mayor Richard Brunst asked why so many protested if the method were humane and asked him to present the research to the council.

2. Parks

   Work session: Bridal Veil Falls state park study and Sunset Heights permit parking

   Discussed · Bridal Veil Falls; Sunset Heights neighborhood

   A state parks representative asked the council about a state park in the Bridal Veil Falls area; members said they do not want residents to pay to use it, and the study is due in October. Staff presented a petition received April 7 for a residential parking permit program in the Sunset Heights neighborhood, where a traffic study found vehicles parked mainly come from apartment complexes on 800 South Geneva Road. A member asked how enforcement would differ; staff said police are developing a civilian parking enforcement team. A vote was scheduled for June 29.

3. City code

   Work session: North Village District design and parking standards

   Discussed · North Village District

   The council discussed the process for amending Sections 22-24-5(F) and (H) on design and parking standards in the North Village District and holding a special meeting for public and council to exchange views. Planning staff reviewed outstanding issues: traffic study, parking, height and setbacks, and said a recent parking study shows more than enough parking under current requirements.

   Follow State Street districts rezone and master plan in the development tracker →

   Follow OBOK Condominiums, 1600 North and 400 West in the development tracker →

4. Other

   Work session: State drought declaration and Mayor Pro Tem

   Discussed

   The City Manager reviewed the governor's drought-related water conservation and fireworks guidance and Orem's proposed measures, and members discussed recognizing wise water users and Alpine School District's water use. The council agreed to Mayor Richard Brunst's suggestion that Council Member David Spencer serve as Mayor Pro Tem from July through December 2021.

5. Item Consent · Budget

   Consent items: 2021 CARE grant amounts

   Approved · 5-0

   The council approved an ordinance setting the amounts awarded to 2021 CARE grant recipients. The minutes do not list the amounts.

   • GrantAmount not given 2021 CARE grant awards (amounts not stated in minutes). CARE commission recommendations. Paid from CARE tax

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member Tom Macdonald. Vote: 5-0 of council members present; the mayor also voted yes

6. Item Public hearing · Budget

   Enterprise fund transfers of $1,072,000 to the general fund

   Approved · 5-0

   The State Auditor requires cities to pay retail rates for their own use of city-owned utilities, primarily at parks, the cemetery, City Hall and public safety buildings. Orem had built those costs into utility rates. Staff said the alternatives were raising property taxes, cutting services, or transferring funds from the utilities to the general fund, and that the transfer keeps service and fees the same. Transfers are $900,000 from water (5.0% of fund expenditures), $16,000 from sewer (0.1%), $141,000 from storm water (2.6%) and $15,000 from street lighting (1.6%). No one spoke.

   • Budget$1.07 million Transfers from water ($900,000), sewer ($16,000), storm water ($141,000) and street lighting ($15,000) funds to the general fund to cover the city's own utility use. Paid from Enterprise funds

   Moved by Council Member Tom Macdonald, seconded by Council Member Jeff Lambson. Vote: 5-0 of council members present; the mayor also voted yes

7. Item Public hearing · Budget

   Fiscal year 2021-22 budget adoption

   Approved · 5-0

   The budget includes compensation, fees, charges and tax rates. Property taxes are not increased; the franchise tax and municipal energy sales and use tax stay at 6%, the transient room tax at 1%, the telecommunications license tax at 3.5%, and the E-911 fee at the state maximum. Various fees change in many departments. No one spoke.

   • BudgetAmount not given Adoption of the fiscal year 2021-22 city budget; no property tax increase
   • Franchise and energy taxes 6%; transient room tax 1%; telecommunications license tax 3.5%

   Moved by Mayor Richard Brunst, seconded by Council Member Tom Macdonald. Vote: 5-0 of council members present; the mayor also voted yes

What residents said

North Village District developmentAnimal shelter gas chamber

Nine people commented. Two North Village District speakers said planned development does not match the small-scale intent of the State Street Master Plan and asked for a special meeting between the public and council. Seven speakers, including a petition organizer who said an online petition drew more than 70,000 signatures and who presented a roll with over 13,000 Utah signers, urged the council to end the use of carbon monoxide at the North Utah Valley Animal Shelter, calling it inhumane or outdated; one said it takes about 30 minutes per animal and another asked for low-cost spay and neuter services in the county.