Orem council adopts $140.6 million budget for fiscal 2022-23, 6-0
June 14, 2022, 6:00 p.m. · Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
The council voted 6-0 to adopt a fiscal 2022-23 budget totaling $140,619,863, reduced from the tentative figure to reflect changes to the Orem swim team operation. It also approved enterprise fund transfers and a CDBG-CV amendment, and continued the civil infractions fines resolution again. In the work session, Council Member Terry Peterson questioned department head pay increases, and residents raised neighborhood nuisance concerns on Cascade Drive and the release of personal information in a records response.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| HOME Consortium (work session) | Discussed |
| Critical incident protocols in schools (work session) | Discussed |
| Storm water code amendments (work session) | Discussed |
| Fiscal 2022-23 budget questions and employee pay (work session) | Discussed |
| Mayor Pro Tem and council reports (work session) | Discussed |
| Fines for civil infractions resolution | Continued · 6-0 |
| Beautification Commission appointment: Mark Shurtliff | Approved · 6-0 |
| Public hearing: CDBG-CV amendment to the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan | Approved · 6-0 |
| Public hearing: enterprise fund transfers | Approved · 6-0 |
| Public hearing: adopt fiscal year 2022-23 budget | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Other
HOME Consortium (work session)
Discussed
A Provo planner explained the HOME program, which funds affordable housing and homeownership, with Provo as lead entity. HUD can fund up to 75 percent of a project; the Consortium received $1.5 million this year. Orem is the largest user of the county's down payment assistance loan program, a 0 percent deferred loan repaid on sale. Orem's agreement to continue in the Consortium was placed on the next agenda.
Public safety
Critical incident protocols in schools (work session)
Discussed
Police Chief Joshua Adams said each Orem school has pre-incident plans and that officers have done simulation and tactics training, with officers trained to enter alone without waiting. He said police do not keep master keys on hand but keys are placed in schools, and that police would learn of a student bringing a firearm. Fire Chief Marc Sanderson said paramedics are trained to support extraction of the injured.
City code
Storm water code amendments (work session)
Discussed
Public Works staff presented updates to the storm water ordinance, including a new $1,000 bond to ensure compliance between building completion and landscaping, a requirement for a storm water map and questionnaire, and a retrofitting plan for established sites that adversely affect storm water. Council Member LaNae Millet asked about turning abandoned canals into bike paths; staff said the city would have to buy the right-of-way and converting water conveyance rights would be very hard.
Budget
Fiscal 2022-23 budget questions and employee pay (work session)
Discussed
Peterson asked how department head salaries are set and why some rose faster than others, and compared Orem's library director pay with the university library director's. City Manager Jamie Davidson said pay is set by risk, responsibility and market comparisons, directors may give merit raises up to 5 percent, and about $700,000 is unallocated for a possible recession and pay adjustments. Fire Chief Sanderson said the discussion worried his staff; Peterson said no council member opposes police or fire. Council Member David Spencer asked about merit-based raises and HR Director Keri Rugg said merit increases go through her office as a check.
Other
Mayor Pro Tem and council reports (work session)
Discussed
City Recorder JoD'Ann Bates said LaNae Millet was recommended as Mayor Pro Tem for July through December 2022. Peterson reported that Haysam Sakar was appointed Planning Commission chair, with one commission seat open.
Taxes and fees
Fines for civil infractions resolution
Continued · 6-0
The resolution was continued to a later date.
Appointment
Beautification Commission appointment: Mark Shurtliff
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed Mark Shurtliff.
Budget
Public hearing: CDBG-CV amendment to the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan
Approved · 6-0
The CDBG Advisory Commission recommended allocating $15,000 of the remaining CDBG-CV public services funds ($55,428.68) to the Recreation Department for senior meals and $40,428.68 to Public Works for water filling stations in target neighborhood parks. No one spoke.
- Grant$15,000 to Orem Recreation Department
- Grant$40,429 to Orem Public Works Department
Budget
Public hearing: enterprise fund transfers
Approved · 6-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson said state law requires disclosure of transfers between the enterprise funds and the general fund, which pays utility funds for park, cemetery and building water, sewer, storm water and street lighting charges. No one spoke.
Budget
Public hearing: adopt fiscal year 2022-23 budget
Approved · 6-0
Nelson presented a final budget of $140,619,863, adjusted for changes in swim team operation, with budgeted revenues of $118,354,981 that he called conservative (actual perhaps near $120 million). Highlights included the compensation program, market adjustments, a budgeted 10 percent health insurance increase (8 percent is typical), fleet replacement and capital projects. Council Member Tom Macdonald asked how much of a $9 million increase was capital. Millet asked about fees for large buildings near University Mall; staff said they include an upcoming University Place housing development. No one spoke at the hearing.
- Budget$140.6 million
What residents said
Cascade Drive nuisancesRecords releaseAlpine School District splitEmployee compensation
Joe Johnson, a Lehi resident, supported the school district feasibility study. Ben Whealal said he moved his son from Orem High School and urged Orem to form its own school district. PJ Eager and Cissy Rasmussen said emails of theirs were requested through GRAMA and personal information was briefly posted on the city website; Rasmussen called the request targeted. John Barrick said Orem paid about $465 million in property taxes to Alpine School District over ten years and received $82 million in bond allocations. Several residents of the Cascade Drive area described speeding, racing, parties and noise and asked for a gate closing the road at dusk, monitoring equipment or other action. Mike Faragher proposed a city holiday recognizing children.