Orem council raises property tax $450,000 for two police officers, 4-2, after Truth in Taxation hearing
August 27, 2026, 6:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem (Council Chambers; hybrid with Zoom)
After a 67-minute public hearing, the council voted 4-2 among council members (the mayor also voting yes) to raise the city's property tax rate to produce $450,000 a year, dedicated to a new Public Safety Special Revenue Fund and two additional police officers. Council Members LaNae Millett and Crystal Muhlestein voted no. About 16 or 17 speakers opposed the increase and 7 supported it, according to Muhlestein.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Taxes and fees
Truth in Taxation hearing: property tax increase of $450,000, final fiscal 2026-27 budget and Public Safety Special Revenue Fund
Approved · 4-2
The council adopted the final fiscal 2026-27 budget and raised the property tax rate to bring in $450,000 more a year, all of it dedicated to a Public Safety Special Revenue Fund to hire two police officers with vehicles and equipment. Orem's certified rate goes from 0.000590 to 0.000631, a 7.01 percent rise in city property tax revenue; the city's share is about 14 percent of a resident's total bill, and for the average $520,000 home (with the 45 percent residential exemption) staff put the cost at roughly $11 a year. Police Chief BJ Robinson said staffing shortfalls have forced cuts to traffic, community policing and mental health units and mandatory 16- to 18-hour shifts, and that federal grants that funded seven positions have ended. Staff said Orem has not changed its rate since 2019, that police and fire cost $38.4 to $40 million against about $8.1 million in property tax, and that sales and franchise taxes are already at state maximums with sales tax growth near flat. The motion also adopted the compensation programs, fee schedule, and franchise, energy, telecommunications, transient room and E-911 rates. After a hearing that ran from 7:01 to 8:08 p.m., Council Members Quinn Mecham, Jenn Gale, Jeff Lambson and Chris Killpack and Mayor Karen McCandless voted yes, citing the stability of property tax against volatile sales tax and the need to staff public safety. Council Member Crystal Muhlestein voted no, saying the city had not clearly explained the need and proposing to pause and answer residents' questions. Council Member LaNae Millett voted no, saying she supports officers but that $450,000, about 0.25 percent of the $177 million budget, could be found through reprioritizing, and the council should let its economic development efforts mature first.
- Fee$450,000
- Certified rate: 0.000590 → 0.000631 (7.01% increase in city property tax revenue)
- Average primary residence value $520,000; roughly $11 a year
- Public safety budget $38.4-$40 million; property tax about $8.1 million; about $25 million transferred from general fund
- Hearing open 7:01 p.m. to 8:08 p.m.
What residents said
Property tax increaseFixed-income and senior residentsDedicated public safety fundPolice staffing and overtimeUse of reserves
Roughly two dozen residents spoke. Opponents, including Mike Preston, Judy Cox, Kathy Young, Milo Ott, Dave Young, Hans Berkler and Hans Anderson, said they back police but objected to the increase, citing retirees on fixed incomes, a 'financial shell game' dedicated fund that could lead to automatic future increases, and the option of using existing funds or reserves (Anderson cited over $33 million in unrestricted reserves). Others, including Brendan Beebe, asked for data on call volumes and staffing and questioned license plate reader cameras. Supporters, including Cissy Rasmussen, Marian Baxter, Chuck Barrus, Michelle Sorenson, Sara Bateman, Alisa Adams and Zach Adams, called the cost small and said public safety needs a stable dedicated funding source. Evan Thacker suggested a voluntary donation option. Staff answered that available fund balance is about $14 million after commitments, not $33 million.