[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6566060,"mediaKeyId","3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072","parentId",3207757,"title","North Ogden staff temporarily disabled Facebook comments; council will review policy after staff briefing","audioSeconds",346,"startMs",12095000,"endMs",12441000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072&start=12095&end=12441","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072/thumbnail_12095000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566060/Utah/North-Ogden-staff-temporarily-disabled-Facebook-comments-council-will-review-policy-after-staff-briefing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566060-e537b904f89da58afdfea2c0a69fa5aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440006&Signature=FT38799QqWbizVCtoipZC~mxbJspJH-NP0NLyYyIiAr5m-4L~U1G42oXtpvmWkC5C2KrlBMFBeaXSFOpGCRvtMEYsHg5ZnTVzdkWscaou5VaMDTVF5~bJcUOXSScn-bjX-46N49rOH3D5dGpn5Nf4iOjCNzOmeZmUa-zQ9AU1GBN42D-HDYti8PuwOFx4~RMtbZAAhwSTavI0Ed~gVZ505j4jCVTy2bhRVmIinoIlMW7cxOnkgfH337wgJ6w1cXHX7Vs0RJEG4UvTRKspxY66BWWp-6dMzDUejCfEcxdgtsCqL0qCFGVhZcKnTRRuR1cLgYV50nSyLLeoVe5SE11rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Ogden City Audit Commiittee ","date","2025-05-07T15:51:41Z","article","North Ogden — The council heard staff explain why the city temporarily disabled public comments on its official Facebook page. City communications staff said the action was taken after repeated abusive or defamatory comments directed at city employees and volunteers; staff said the decision was intended to protect employee wellbeing and reduce legal and moderation burdens.

What staff said: The city’s public information officer told the council the page had become a regular venue for personal attacks and that turning off comments removed the need for staff to police ad‑hoc attacks while allowing the city to continue publishing official information. Staff cited legal guidance that a government entity that allows comments in one forum must not discriminate on viewpoint, complicating ad hoc comment moderation, and said broad disabling of comments was a defensible, neutral approach.

Council reaction: Some councilmembers expressed discomfort with closing off a public comments channel and asked that the council consider an explicit policy statement and public education about how residents can submit feedback (for example, written comments, speaking at meetings or formal complaint forms). Staff agreed to bring a proposed policy and communications plan to a future meeting and to provide council members guidance on how the city will handle complaints and moderation going forward.

Ending: Staff will draft a proposed social‑media comment policy and provide an explanation for the public to reduce confusion and set expectations about where residents can provide feedback to the city.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City communications staff and administration explained a temporary decision to turn off comments on the city Facebook page, citing repeated personal attacks on staff and the administrative burden of moderating abusive posts. Councilmembers asked for a future agenda item to set expectations and policy.","taxTitle","North Ogden City Audit Commiittee, North Ogden , Weber County, Utah","taxId",67063,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_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":74,"_75":74},6566065,"Council reviews utility rate adjustments; pool gate fee to rise as staff explores concessions and Sundays",0,12385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072&start=12385&end=12385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072/thumbnail_12385000.jpg","/articles/6566065/Utah/Council-reviews-utility-rate-adjustments-pool-gate-fee-to-rise-as-staff-explores-concessions-and-Sundays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566065-065efbcf10555318788fa00df2605dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440006&Signature=kjOg8ZQdM5JoPcx76UKcgjzmeZrf9FnteL8UYO0nknp8hZvtqBUSmGoPJO2UjZ1CBgriShUJH7lvr-Brbhdm4fChAL3uuPeGm7HdYvvGVAZMSAYUDWWG5ga6hs1uRgFJr5X~haRXl2bipTLAaJeohrh-KM747okGVEY1kGEn08eslvZhW5cY6g9TqrKgiYxW3kq05ToWCsFMyqw6ytg9tt~mMcn6JHpXKjuOprCRQ73WijHdJT6JZbQ4iRV3sxHwn36QKQrUcxVSHHmxHF9zMH0PLiFkR2R4fieh-BeIMz4HgiQMZ--9VBAQJSUPYPyJWo-Dxb~BhTX29WIvSskqVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Ogden — The council reviewed proposed changes to enterprise fees and to the city’s aquatic center rates and operations. Finance staff described modest rate increases across water, stormwater and solid waste to cover operational costs and vendor pass‑through increases; staff also recommended a one‑dollar increase to the pool’s daily admission as a step toward long‑term sustainability.

Utility rates: Staff summarized recommended enterprise changes, including a combined increase for water tied to operational and capital needs (meter replacement planning and chlorine/salary cost increases) and a solid‑waste passthrough reflecting increased hauling and transfer station fees. Sewer staff said the sewer enterprise’s fund balance allowed the city to hold rates steady this year. Stormwater staff recommended a rate increase after drawing down reserves in recent years.

Aquatic center: Justin, the pool manager, and staff recommended raising the gate rate (staff discussed $9.50 as a practical rounding point from the current $8.50 with tax), and councilmembers signaled support for a one‑dollar step increase this year. Staff reported that last year’s $2 gate increase produced additional revenue but that higher chlorine and chemical costs offset some of those gains; the pool’s fund balance remains limited.

Concessions and Sundays: Council asked staff to explore whether moving concessions in‑house or changing concessions operations could increase net revenue; staff said contracting concessions or taking a more active concessions strategy could require upfront investment and staffing, but the pool manager told the council he believes a revised concessions strategy could reach break‑even over time. Staff also said operating Sundays this season is difficult for hiring and scheduling but that Sunday hours could be trialed next year with earlier planning and recruitment.

Next steps: Council instructed staff to return with a final fee schedule and implementation timing for the water, stormwater and solid‑waste changes, and to proceed with planning for a pool gate fee increase and a concessions/RFP process in a follow‑up report.

Ending: Staff will include the enterprise rate changes in the draft budget for final council action; the council asked for additional information on interest income that had supported some enterprise balances in the current year.","Staff proposed modest increases to several utility rates (water, stormwater and solid waste pass‑throughs) and recommended raising the aquatic center daily gate fee; council signaled support for a near‑term increase and asked staff to pursue concession and Sunday‑opening options next season.",{"_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":74,"_75":74},6566070,"North Ogden staff recommend market pay adjustments and a 401(k) match change; council signals support",490,5100000,5590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072&start=5100&end=5590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072/thumbnail_5100000.jpg","/articles/6566070/Utah/North-Ogden-staff-recommend-market-pay-adjustments-and-a-401k-match-change-council-signals-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566070-01e472be4cbbd6db6c85bb17e5da1792/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440006&Signature=ne-FtY~YlQAZN5gXH80ATs7wa4AY2iTMSsJO6xHRoBypHoLFgximxtr7vIERCMG4nFtOK5wJCNZLlIOTl6IYqwwEnEW-wr1LULhHFBAXfKRvZSztN5~vcGuMpE~cg2lKhZ~z98vWd5NbT7gxDDERoaJfLZAONRE~5aevyKLSNysEp1I2H5zl-ScsB6lbubDdEZFFNGgcZVpGyI2M2IZsjpYhRbLPXs0XU6DNeASgToWR3GfewpW0-jpJVD~FgnQDqtegFoZfttaHj~mc~4RGrVFgL-PJQXjaOYdC4hRRp0p8XvG4NBV1jnWe~xyB2Krnq7r1krvwfublwVqFSxyofw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Ogden — City finance and human resources staff presented the council with a market pay study and a recommendation to continue moving the city’s pay scales toward the 50th percentile of comparable municipalities, along with a proposed change to the city’s 401(k) contribution policy.

Context and recommendation: Staff told the council the city’s compensation policy targets the fiftieth percentile for market pay, with existing practice of providing a guaranteed contribution and a match program. Staff reported multiple positions and individual employees remain below the targeted market medians and that bringing pay to market across the organization would carry an estimated FY impact of about $500,000 when salary increases and employer benefits are included.

401(k) change proposed: Staff proposed modifying the city’s 401(k) structure from the current guaranteed 3% plus up to a 3% match (employee putting in 3% yielding city match) to a 4% employee contribution matched 4% by the city (an 8% total contribution where employees participate). Staff said that structure retains a guaranteed minimum while shifting more of the plan toward employee participation, and they estimated the change could modestly reduce the city’s overall 401(k) outlay while increasing employee take‑home pay if employees choose to contribute the extra 1 percent.

Council discussion: Multiple councilmembers and staff expressed support for staying the course on market adjustments to preserve retention and institutional knowledge. At least one councilmember said the city had already committed in prior budget conversations to make market adjustments and cautioned against reversing that plan. Councilmembers asked staff to return with more granular data and offered to review detail with staff before a final vote. Several council members described concern about the potential optics of benefit adjustments and asked that any changes not be perceived as simply taking benefits away from employees.

Next steps: Staff will return with final budget numbers and requested clarifications; council members offered to review the data with staff and the budget committee before adoption.","City staff presented a market pay study and proposed salary adjustments to bring employees toward the 50th percentile; staff proposed shifting the retirement match to a 4% employee contribution / 4% city match, and the council discussed tradeoffs and retention risks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6566075,"North Ogden council debates transportation utility fee, bond and tax options as roads deteriorate",4463,507000,4970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072&start=507&end=4970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207757-73be1266f57e4a9fb526b8f4821fc072/thumbnail_507000.jpg","/articles/6566075/Utah/North-Ogden-council-debates-transportation-utility-fee-bond-and-tax-options-as-roads-deteriorate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566075-ba96d40731969f7ba0840940041352a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440006&Signature=Pv3ZrIc1hCTULpdObXJelEJD93K0aGgvZ5OiIXd8jC16FjIZ4G7XMugjw3Zw-Glav~YxHppWMquWYPb3DWSkmd92s2Q1DXCJsxENrCzOjUtiJuoizXFBMg7ZSlUyFO2rd1vVSp7qluiyHQ2sKnLQmr~4GSNfx0G3Cx8Cpy9ExKg7DVoFC6rPgtqPJ6eFHvggIoDlnsmePUAap~ClhOzA0ExJcIxoH2e4oOaz0vQZyqQ1~X0TZxuyZTG6P2jE2qnUyP3Io0VwYkx7Um-UxQHjVpivyMeAtuiMGDQSKa0icDE2NxCcTlYHuG~NClkxPjQaEASg15nyP34-LafXab2Bcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Ogden — Council members and city staff spent the bulk of their May meeting on the condition of the city’s streets and how to pay for repairs, with staff presenting a multi‑million‑dollar backlog and a mix of funding options that include a transportation utility fee, higher property tax or a general obligation bond.

The presentation and discussion centered on a pavement‑condition analysis showing a large share of the city’s roads with four to eight years of remaining service life — a range staff said is most cost‑effective to treat with surface treatments such as chip seals rather than full rebuilds. Public works staff described a roughly $90 million estimated cost to chip‑seal and resurface much of the system and a broader $110 million figure as a longer‑term funding need to restore the system to desired levels.

Why it matters: Council members were warned that delaying repairs will increase future costs. Staff described the difference between treating roads early with lower‑cost surface preservation and the much higher cost of full reconstruction once pavement falls below the “4‑year” threshold.

What staff presented: Phil Swanson, reporting from the city’s budget subcommittee, told the council that the committee recommended clear public communication about the magnitude of the need and discussed the legal and fiscal tradeoffs between a fee and property tax. Swanson said a fee can be easier to earmark and track for roads but carries a possible litigation risk from groups that argue such charges are taxes rather than fees. He and other staff suggested an engineering/financial study would cost in the low tens of thousands to support a defensible fee design.

Public works staff described a three‑part spending approach staff recommended if new funds are available: about 50 percent of new annual street dollars targeted at roads in the 4–8 year life band for preservation treatments, 25 percent on rebuilds and 25 percent on keeping the best roads in good condition. Staff estimated annual state B&C (b and c) road funding at about $900,000 and said that, without additional local revenue, the city is falling further behind each year.

Funding options and numbers discussed: Councilmembers and staff discussed several alternatives and the practical effect of each:
- A transportation utility fee applied to utility bills: staff and budget committee discussed possible monthly amounts commonly referenced in the meeting ranging from $3 to $20 per household. Council and staff said $10–$15 per month would produce materially more annual revenue than smaller amounts, but still fall short of the full backlog.
- Raising property tax: this removes the litigation risk tied to a fee, but council members voiced concern property tax increases are easier for future councils to reallocate unless an ordinance or other mechanism restricts the use; staff noted the city’s existing ordinance designating some property tax to public safety complicated the lines for reallocating funds.
- General obligation (GO) bond: staff outlined that a significant bond (for example, $40–$50 million) would spread the cost over decades and could raise a large sum up front; higher interest rates increase the annual debt service and the monthly homeowner impact. Staff gave illustrative math showing large bond amounts would translate to several hundred to over a thousand dollars per household per year depending on the principal and term.

Tradeoffs and timing: Councilmembers stressed optics and voter appetite. Several members said modest annual increases are politically easier but will not halt long‑term deterioration; others argued the need for a clear policy and citizen engagement before implementing either a tax or a fee. Staff recommended the council pick a target annual revenue level (staff discussed a $3 million annual example) and consider next steps: an engineering/fee study now, a truth‑in‑taxation process if the council prefers property tax, or a bond discussion in the coming year if the council wants rapid, larger repairs.

Council action and next steps: No final funding decision was taken at the meeting. Staff said budget adoption and truth‑in‑taxation deadlines in the summer give the council until August to finalize a plan; staff proposed returning with more detailed costed options for a targeted package (for example, a $3 million annual program) and said it would also run public outreach tools (a neutral “flash vote” questionnaire) to gauge resident preferences before the August/taxation schedule. The council approved the consent minutes at the start of the meeting (see “Votes at a glance” below).

Ending: Councilmembers agreed to continue the discussion in upcoming budget workshops and to ask staff for the cost‑and‑implementation scenarios (fee design study cost, bond sizing and estimated homeowner impacts, and a prioritized list of roads to be addressed under candidate funding levels).","Council members and staff heard a lengthy presentation on the city’s road condition report and budget options, including a transportation utility fee, raising property tax, or issuing bonds to address an estimated $90–$110 million backlog.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

North Ogden staff temporarily disabled Facebook comments; council will review policy after staff briefing

Council reviews utility rate adjustments; pool gate fee to rise as staff explores concessions and Sundays

North Ogden staff recommend market pay adjustments and a 401(k) match change; council signals support

North Ogden council debates transportation utility fee, bond and tax options as roads deteriorate