Orem council accepts $140.8 million tentative budget; work session shows no CARE grant recommended for Hale Center Theater
May 10, 2022, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The council voted 6-0 to accept the fiscal 2022-23 tentative budget, which totals $140,793,863 in expenditures; final adoption is due in June. Council Member Tom Macdonald, who joined by phone, said he does not want to approve forming an Orem swim team until it is discussed further. In the work session staff recommended CARE funding of $759 thousand to SCERA, $25 thousand to Utah Metropolitan Ballet and nothing to Hale Center Theater, which had asked for $1.27 million. Macdonald was absent from the work session and joined the regular session electronically.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Municipal Wastewater Planning Program (work session) | Discussed |
| CARE major grant applications (work session) | Discussed |
| Residential occupancy limits (work session) | Discussed |
| New City Hall contractor (work session) | Discussed |
| Planning Commission appointment: Gerald Grismon | Approved · 6-0 |
| Beautification Commission appointments | Approved · 6-0 |
| Minutes of April 26 continued | Continued · 6-0 |
| Public hearing: fiscal year 2022-23 tentative budget | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Roads and utilities
Municipal Wastewater Planning Program (work session)
Discussed
Staff presented the annual state survey on sewer system conditions and the Water Resources Division. Staff said Orem's impact fees fall in the middle compared with Provo and Saratoga Springs, water projects are on track, and supply chain issues are raising project costs and time.
Budget
CARE major grant applications (work session)
Discussed
Staff said about 21 requests totaled $4.4 million against a little over $3 million available. Hale Center Theater asked for $1.27 million, SCERA $759 thousand and Utah Metropolitan Ballet $76 thousand. The recommendation was full funding for city projects (arts, recreation and parks, including Lakeside Park lighting and turf, Hillcrest Park and a Family Fitness Center swimwall), $25 thousand for the ballet, $759 thousand for SCERA and nothing for Hale. Hale's representative said the theater has operated in Orem 33 years and that the zero recommendation felt like a punishment for its decision to move to Pleasant Grove. Council Member Debby Lauret said she wanted some funding to go to Hale. The grants return for a later vote.
- Grant$759,000 to SCERA Center for the Arts
- Grant$25,000 to Utah Metropolitan Ballet
- Grant$0 to Hale Center Theater
City code
Residential occupancy limits (work session)
Discussed
Deputy City Attorney Steve Earl said state law lets cities with a major university limit occupancy to three unrelated adults, and Orem's limit is three mainly over parking. Mayor Young and Deputy City Manager Steven Downs said raising the limit could make buying single-family homes as rentals more attractive to investors. Council Member LaNae Millet cited parking and landscaping rules, enforcement and housing stock. The council asked the legal department to explore options.
Roads and utilities
New City Hall contractor (work session)
Discussed
City Manager Jamie Davidson said Layton Construction was selected as general contractor for the new City Hall.
- ContractAmount not given to Layton Construction
Appointment
Planning Commission appointment: Gerald Grismon
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed Gerald Grismon. Council Member Terry Peterson said he is glad to have someone from the neighborhood near University Mall on the commission.
Appointment
Beautification Commission appointments
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed Barbra Cooper and Jared Goble.
Other
Minutes of April 26 continued
Continued · 6-0
At Council Member Millet's request, approval of the April 26 minutes was moved off consent and continued to the next meeting so she could review suggestions to make minutes easier for the public to follow.
Budget
Public hearing: fiscal year 2022-23 tentative budget
Approved · 6-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson said the vote was to accept the tentative budget, with final adoption in June. Total expenditures are $140,793,863, including new fire and police equipment, vehicles, positions and fleet replacements. Nelson said the city will pay for Utopia until fiscal year 2040. Mayor Young asked which portions of property taxes have risen; Nelson said likely school district and other entities rather than the city portion. Macdonald said he approved the budget but not forming an Orem swim team without more discussion. No one spoke at the hearing.
- Budget$140.8 million
What residents said
Center Street trafficPlanning Commission balancePolice diversityWater conservationCity swim team
Jim Hadlock asked for a more diverse police department and water limits for large users including Alpine School District. Greg Carlisle raised left-turn traffic problems on Center Street near the post office and asked the city to publicize open entrances to the Family Fitness Center. Shauna Mecham said not reappointing Barry Roberts to the Planning Commission removed the last pro-growth voice and asked the council to include differing views.