[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6322825,"mediaKeyId","2346128-e817d0b8c8c0f7e94e908cc19a88401d","parentId",2346128,"title","Ogden staff preview strategic plan metrics on city image, reputation and fiscal sustainability; citizen survey results due in March","audioSeconds",1156,"startMs",4010000,"endMs",5166000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346128-e817d0b8c8c0f7e94e908cc19a88401d&start=4010&end=5166","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346128-e817d0b8c8c0f7e94e908cc19a88401d/thumbnail_4010000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322825/Utah/Ogden-staff-preview-strategic-plan-metrics-on-city-image-reputation-and-fiscal-sustainability-citizen-survey-results-due-in-March","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322825-420ccf41371b885e025dc6d021c71858/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158245&Signature=X-DFiDsV5ORTCXjmm347IrUhMUNeeK5y75yls8MpWgdEPowARPDHHaU7dm6hXCmnRetUg74vF95orDFrSzoZcTCADyr2VJYZ1~yXIlgp2bbfAi620Ed9074xD3GP2ckwEUgkx9RqsnCa0qWPcCnJ7XWTXoAHxSmdsFR3Yj8FGi4Yh~mkWWZGPgimsPwtKKOmYEcGUxMET4stH0rmIY8aybfQEOk5dkQP1ZyObCAL~CTxlaO-hqPeofzSMURCIjCFYs4A0jilIZGfX-ibNNsK9gP9fFn8JYbq9E3jSpCqog3utZW2KVHPCBcNfnnjtQjCKpCebFFAuosY~L6UA0hdiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-19T12:31:45Z","article","City staff reviewed the Ogden City five‑year strategic plan’s directives on city image and reputation and fiscal sustainability at the Feb. 18 joint work session, and told council a Utah State University well‑being (citizen) survey will be reported in March.

Why it matters: the strategic plan provides the council with metrics used in annual budgeting and priority setting, and staff said the directives align with capital projects, economic development and community-safety work already underway.

Staff described the strategic planning process: an RFP selected Tanner LLC to facilitate, staff formed a strategic‑planning advisory committee of residents and stakeholders, and the group developed a primary directive (leveraging location, outdoor recreation, population diversity and history) plus four strategic pillars: economic development, community safety, recreation, city image/reputation and financial sustainability. \"The primary directive: leverage our unique location, outdoor recreation, diverse population, and rich history to offer residents, businesses, and guests a vibrant community that leads people to call Ogden home,\" staff said.

Metrics and timing: staff said the city image/reputation pillar uses measures like improved public‑school image, commercial occupancy, cleanliness of city entrances, resident satisfaction and inclusion, and employee‑survey results. For fiscal sustainability, the council had selected metrics that include general fund balance, debt and bond ratings, audit findings, and state audit scores — items staff said dovetail with the auditors’ presentation earlier in the meeting.

Staff also noted overlap among work-session topics and said the council asked for a citizen‑survey briefing from Utah State University in March; staff moved that presentation to a later meeting so the university representative could spend adequate time with council.

Ending: staff said the city will consider timing of the next strategic‑plan refresh after the general plan is complete and suggested discussing strategy at the March 25 strategy session. Council members indicated interest in ongoing engagement with the schools and other community groups around image and inclusion metrics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ogden City Council Work Session - February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reviewed the Ogden strategic plan’s image/reputation and fiscal‑sustainability directives at the Feb. 18 work session and said a Utah State University well‑being/citizen survey will be reported to council in March; staff noted overlap between strategic directives and existing financial reporting.","taxTitle","South Ogden City Council, South Ogden , Weber County, Utah","taxId",24541,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6322829,"Visit Ogden reports tourism tax collections near $9.3 million in 2024; touts new branding, events and group sales",564,2887000,3451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346128-e817d0b8c8c0f7e94e908cc19a88401d&start=2887&end=3451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346128-e817d0b8c8c0f7e94e908cc19a88401d/thumbnail_2887000.jpg","/articles/6322829/Utah/Visit-Ogden-reports-tourism-tax-collections-near-93-million-in-2024-touts-new-branding-events-and-group-sales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322829-186e29767afc95e289328755453d1730/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158245&Signature=LnZSi1vyKMpfh8HCWQQ1B~wWGScPW9ejNBzFvmyNoOJL94FHW7MYrKRCJHy27bC9TNY5~ARQmZFBl8Lrmd422W9cTtvESNuO4FkvJUChk~H-xTT1tXOQIwr-AIEy-byck-~cPYohodPmjdKsoNvCDWNp7GfZEwBZJx5~ljR8wexbl2vAnuHKqD8ftTBYnb3cvnngfFntA09d5zqQWl-Q41vZKaOzgwfzs9QhzhIf7zrKMrKdeH93g5ELGd6q9Z9dPhzvP7QoDYg2Ofv5gjSRPh4B83Sh5al~oLmv37VfUHVJMEe9s7yhG45osQrr6odWzXs14OCIdQXziQo-d4R-cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Visit Ogden presented its 2024 annual report to the council on Feb. 18, reporting tourism-related tax receipts of just under $9.3 million for 2024 and a set of initiatives intended to stabilize and broaden visitor spending across seasons.

Why it matters: staff said visitor spending drives a significant portion of local sales tax revenue and supports jobs and events that generate economic activity in Ogden and Weber County.

Visit Ogden’s director (presenting) said the organization finished 2024 with a 2% increase in tourism tax collections compared with 2023 and described efforts to even out seasonality by investing more in spring and fall marketing. “These lodging and hospitality sectors are obviously a good indicator as our overnight stays,” the presenter said, noting Ogden City’s hotel occupancy finished down about 1% while average daily rates (ADR) rose about 6%, producing mixed revenue effects.

The presentation highlighted group sales and events: Visit Ogden reported hosting 59 groups in 2024 with an economic impact of over $17 million; it also cited a worldwide review that brought 1,200 attendees from 28 countries and said a new industry symposium is planned for May 2026. The organization confirmed long-term agreements with tournament operators: a 10‑year contract with Triple Crown’s fast-pitch softball events and multi-year commitments for other baseball tournaments.

Marketing and branding: staff said Visit Ogden completed a brand refresh and launched a new website in April; early results showed a 38% increase in active users and about 44,000 referral clicks to local partners since the site launch. The presenter said winter campaigns and favorable rankings for area ski resorts supported demand in the winter season.

Stewardship and advocacy: Visit Ogden described destination‑stewardship work that included a month‑long “Ogden Eats” campaign to support restaurants in slow months, transit and accessibility initiatives (ski bus stops and hidden‑disabilities training), and three Economic Development Administration grants to support a destination stewardship plan, an arts and culture tourism impact study, and a Keesel Avenue art project.

Ending: the Visit Ogden presenter emphasized advocacy and legislative issues (transient room tax changes and short‑term rental proposals at the state level) and noted team development and board‑level recognition. The presenter directed interested parties to the annual report and 2025 strategic plan on the organization’s website.","Visit Ogden presented its 2024 annual report at the Feb. 18 work session, reporting near‑record tourism tax receipts, a brand refresh and expanded group sales including multi‑year contracts with Triple Crown and plans for new conferences in 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6322833,"Ogden auditors report clean opinion but flag state compliance items, urge council to resolve long-standing interfund loans",1780,611000,2391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346128-e817d0b8c8c0f7e94e908cc19a88401d&start=611&end=2391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346128-e817d0b8c8c0f7e94e908cc19a88401d/thumbnail_611000.jpg","/articles/6322833/Utah/Ogden-auditors-report-clean-opinion-but-flag-state-compliance-items-urge-council-to-resolve-long-standing-interfund-loans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322833-3e5862984f2a1fca01b9f25dc3096457/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158245&Signature=Vj8TXFReKJgVZkww8UYJiBvzLVovd26L8Sfj6yGi4RNucQX2AcQgQXqdTj~6VDcbKYYWt8uZrtbWf-XVlMUtrre42kknoMzkaUEyOzdvbkrQNR5Eq6g76s9XtPA13X1PNud7W8UXAn1eX-nOGduk-8IqAK8QQXQyF6gfG2~RxyZnGl2p4FarTx-5wkvIPkaW8jBvUPhZZrCtjscY2Rdbx4Iw~roQPXxavHxmkRew70TKDKfuS7RKRbjDML~lAXpINiFawDbafldjzClY8WeAizrAzn3l48sMj5gVEJwSZrSgwqXs96WZQRN0deIG~0khwh0sMAnvJSRCuyNYWHgxpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An external auditor told the Ogden City Council during a Feb. 18 work session that the city’s 2023–24 financial statements received an unmodified (clean) opinion but included two state-compliance findings and several items needing council direction.

The finding the auditor highlighted was that the city’s general fund unassigned fund balance exceeded the state-prescribed 35% threshold. \"We had not unmodified or clean opinion on the financial statements of the city,\" the auditor said, and later explained that an unexpected mark-to-market gain on longer-term investments pushed the unassigned balance above 35% after the fiscal year ended.

Why it matters: exceeding the state threshold requires disclosure to the state and, the auditor said, better month-to-month monitoring of investment fair-market-value adjustments and more timely year‑end budget amendments so the city can encumber or transfer excess funds before fiscal closing.

The audit also identified budget monitoring gaps in smaller funds: the auditor said the “Morgan scribe force fund” went over budget by about $54,000 because revenue (a grant) was recorded but no budget amendment followed. The auditor recommended more frequent tracking and, where appropriate, monthly recording of fair-market adjustments on investments rather than annual recording.

Interfund loans and RDAs: auditors and staff told council the more policy-sensitive item is long-running interfund loans. State code requires that loans between funds not exceed 10 years, the auditor said, and many of Ogden’s existing promissory notes are beyond their original terms. He said that when repayment beyond 10 years is unlikely, accounting standards would support forgiving the loan (converting it to a transfer), but RDAs complicate that approach because RDA revenues may not materialize for many years.

City finance staff said administration will bring updated promissory notes and resolutions to council. Staff said administration will recommend writing off a $500,000 general-fund-to-CBD RDA loan and will update amortization schedules and promissory notes for other RDA-related loans so expiration dates align with RDA timelines. On smaller or enterprise-related notes — including a $57,000 promissory note tied to airport equipment — staff sought council direction on whether to extend, write off or continue collection.

Fiscal highlights and context: staff reported an overall fund-balance increase of about $5.5 million for the year and said unassigned fund balance rose by roughly $2.2 million; finance staff noted that 10 years ago the city’s fund balance was under $12 million and is now about $74 million (a portion of which is ARPA restricted funds). The report also listed capital investment of about $61.4 million in FY24 and newly issued bonded debt tied to the WonderBlock development of about $127.2 million (split across RDA and MBA accounts). RDA fund balances rose sharply — staff said one RDA fund increased by roughly $65 million, driven largely by WonderBlock bond proceeds.

Airport and enterprise funds: staff and an attendee discussed airport operations. One staff speaker reported an operating loss of $81,000 for the year (another speaker noted a figure of about $65,000 in the same exchange). Staff said airport cash and golf cash balances ended FY24 positive but that transfers and capital receipts inflated those balances; they will decline as projects spend down funds.

Next steps: staff told council they will present specific promissory-note updates and resolutions to clear expired notes or adjust repayment schedules. The auditor also flagged two forthcoming GASB reporting changes that will affect presentation (not accounting) in FY26 financial statements and advised continued attention to compliance testing and budget monitoring.

Ending: council members asked for historical origination and expiration dates for notes and indicated they expect administration to return with recommended resolutions on write-offs and updated promissory notes.","External auditors gave Ogden City an unmodified opinion on its 2023–24 financial statements while identifying two state-compliance findings and recommending council action on interfund loans that exceed 10-year terms for redevelopment areas (RDAs). City staff said they will bring updated promissory notes and proposed write-offs to council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ogden staff preview strategic plan metrics on city image, reputation and fiscal sustainability; citizen survey results due in March

Visit Ogden reports tourism tax collections near $9.3 million in 2024; touts new branding, events and group sales

Ogden auditors report clean opinion but flag state compliance items, urge council to resolve long-standing interfund loans