The North Ogden City Council unanimously approved a package of actions Thursday night that amended the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget, updated the city fee schedule, temporarily restricted new massage establishments while planning work continues, and approved a short‑term contract allowing Family Promise continued use of the old public works building.

Council adopted Ordinance 2025‑21 amending the 2025–26 budget after the Utah State Tax Commission declined to certify the city’s proposed property tax increase. City staff told the council the certified tax revenue available to the city is $3,006,000, down from the $3,147,000 the city had planned for, creating a $141,000 gap that the amendment addresses by increasing the planned use of fund balance to balance the budget for the year.

Why it matters: the change was required when the state did not certify the city’s proposed increase, forcing an immediate adjustment to ensure a balanced budget for the fiscal year. City staff said they will continue seeking revenue and expenditure adjustments and return with a more comprehensive midyear list in December.

At the public hearing before the vote, resident John Arrington said the outcome was “unfortunate” and suggested the issue may need to be pursued with state representatives; resident Reed Miller described the denial as a technical failure by the Tax Commission related to procedural steps required by a recent law. After hearing public comment and staff presentations, Council member Barker moved to adopt Ordinance 2025‑21; the motion passed on a roll call vote with Council members Watson, Barker, Severing, Dalpez and Pulver voting yes.

Also approved unanimously were:
- Resolution 11‑20‑25, a cleanup and update to the city’s fee schedule that aligns online materials and removes superseded effective dates and prior fee entries. Staff said these fee items (including recently adopted water impact fees) were already in effect and the resolution simply cleans the published schedule.
- Ordinance 2025‑22, a temporary land‑use regulation that prohibits new massage establishments from locating in the city’s CN and CC commercial zones while the planning commission and council develop permanent regulations. The temporary restriction, effective October 9, 2025, runs through March 9, 2026; the ordinance grandfathered existing, legitimately operating businesses.
- A one‑year contract (with three optional one‑year extensions) allowing Family Promise continued use of the city’s old public works facility. The agreement is backdated to July 1, 2025, limits use to no more than 12 weeks per year and includes language allowing the city to revisit the arrangement if redevelopment opportunities arise for the site.

Taken together the votes were unanimous. Council members and staff repeatedly framed the actions as routine or corrective: the budget amendment responds to a state certification denial, the fee schedule resolution corrects published materials, the temporary land‑use ordinance is intended to buy time for more detailed rules, and the Family Promise contract formalizes an arrangement the nonprofit had already been operating under.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025‑21 (budget amendment, FY 2025–26): Moved by Council member Barker; second by Council member Watson; roll‑call vote — Watson: yes; Barker: yes; Severing: yes; Dalpez: yes; Pulver: yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 11‑20‑25 (fee schedule amendments): Moved by Council member Severing; second by Council member Pulver; roll‑call vote — Watson: yes; Barker: yes; Severing: yes; Dalpez: yes; Pulver: yes. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 2025‑22 (temporary land‑use regulation restricting new massage establishments): Moved by Council member Delpaz; second by Council member Seri; roll‑call vote — Watson: yes; Barker: yes; Severing: yes; Dalpez: yes; Pulver: yes. Outcome: approved.
- Family Promise contract (use of old public works facility): Moved by Council member Watson; second by Council member Pulver; roll‑call vote — Watson: yes; Barker: yes; Severing: yes; Dalpez: yes; Pulver: yes. Outcome: approved.

What’s next: staff said they will deliver a more comprehensive midyear budget adjustment package in December with further revenue and expenditure recommendations. Planning staff will work with the planning commission to draft permanent land‑use rules for massage establishments during the temporary restriction. The Family Promise contract will return for review before its renewal options if the city considers redevelopment of the property.

Sources: motions and roll call recorded in the Oct. 14, 2025 council meeting transcript; staff presentations by Finance Director Peter Brown and City Manager John Call.