Cache County Council members voted to set a tentative county property-tax increase of 18% at their meeting after a presentation showing a multi-million-dollar shortfall in the general fund.

The council’s executive and finance staff presented a working budget showing estimated general-fund expenditures of about $68.92 million and estimated revenues near $61.03 million, producing “the probable projected shortfall line, of 4,966,516.000000,” County Executive Dirk said during the discussion. The council approved an 18% tentative increase to give staff room to finalize reductions and revenue updates before the final budget.

Why the decision matters: the tentative rate must be filed with the county treasurer so the tax-notice and truth-in-taxation process can proceed. The tentative figure is not final; the council and staff repeatedly said the number can be lowered as department reductions, additional revenue estimates and use of fund balance are confirmed. Officials cited an example in which the county started last year with a higher tentative rate and reduced it before the final adoption.

Budget and shortfall details

Executive staff described a mix of one-time capital requests and ongoing personnel costs that together created the shortfall. Dirk told the council staff had identified about $1.0 million in additional potential cuts across departments above previously submitted estimates; he said some of those savings are from capital deferrals and some are operational adjustments. He also flagged a probable need for midyear budget openings and asked the council to pursue greater monitoring and quarterly review of expenditures going forward.

During the discussion council members stressed two trade-offs: cutting further risks service reductions and staff losses, while using fund balance or a larger tax increase reduces pressure on operating budgets but may worry residents. Council member Barbara moved the motion to set the tentative rate at 18%; after discussion the council approved the motion (motion passed: aye majority, one vote opposed recorded).

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded at this meeting)

- Tentative property-tax rate: Motion to set a tentative county property-tax increase at 18% (mover: Barbara). Outcome: approved. Notes: staff and council said the tentative rate can be reduced before final adoption as more revenue and cut estimates are confirmed. Council discussion referenced an estimated average annual cost to a median-valued home of approximately $63 (about $5 per month) under the 18% scenario as presented by staff.

- American West Heritage Center — RAPS allocation: Motion to approve a $125,000 Rural/Arts/Promotion (RAPS) allocation to the American West Heritage Center to match a private donor’s dollar-for-dollar offer and begin construction of a Tractor Barn Education Building (mover: council member present). Outcome: approved.

- County assessor tax-roll corrections: Motion to approve tax-roll corrections on 34 parcels as presented, including 28 residential exemptions added and 4 exemptions removed. Outcome: approved. Notes: staff reported changes affect the taxable value and that specific taxable-dollar impacts were not listed in the packet but are available on request.

- Mobile-home tax abatement: Motion to abate $228.38 in property taxes for an abandoned mobile home in a mobile-home park (mover: council member). Outcome: approved. Notes: assessor staff said the mobile home was removed and the park owner obtained a court determination of abandonment.

- Medicaid capitation endorsement: Motion to endorse a formal letter asking Medicaid to consider shifting local substance-use-disorder services to a capitated payment model that would give the local substance-abuse authority a lump-sum payment for services (mover: council member). Outcome: approved. Notes: Bear River Health Department staff said capitation would allow local oversight of subcontracted providers and could start July 1, 2026 if approved by Medicaid and the tri‑county partners.

- Rural County Grant (RCG) / CEO board recommendations: Motion to accept the CEO board recommendations for FY26 Rural County Grant allocations, including continued contract support for economic-development services, a contribution toward an AgriPorts study match, and a feasibility study for self-serve fuel at Logan-Cache Airport (LGU). Outcome: approved. Notes: the council accepted using RCG funds to match parts of an AgriPorts study and to support an LGU fuel-feasibility study; the airport authority recommended waiving a 1:1 match for the feasibility study and using reserve dollars.

- Appointment to Bear River Board of Health: Motion to appoint Sandy Goodlander to fill an unexpired term on the Bear River Board of Health through Dec. 31, 2026. Outcome: approved; the appointee accepted.

- Special-events code amendment (Ordinance 2025-27): Motion to suspend the rules and adopt ordinance amending special-event permitting provisions in county code (changes include redefining assemblies and removing a 6-month-earliest filing limit so events may be applied for earlier). Outcome: approved by council vote following suspension of rules.

- Proclamation recognizing National Diaper Need Awareness Week (September 15–21, 2025): Motion to accept proclamation recognizing National Diaper Need Awareness Week and thanking Little Lamb’s Diaper Bank. Outcome: approved.

What the council said and next steps

Council and executive staff repeatedly emphasized that the 18% figure is tentative and that the council expects staff to continue identifying cuts and updated revenue estimates before the final budget. Dirk said staff found restricted capital funds that can partly relieve pressure, and that additional sales-tax monthly data received during the meeting suggested revenues might be higher than earlier estimated.

Dirk also urged the council to give staff time between the tentative and final budgets to present the line-item detail and clarified that departments had already proposed a mix of capital deferrals and program reductions. Barbara, who moved the tentative 18% rate, said the number gives the council and staff room to manage the process and that it can be lowered before final adoption.

Procedural note

The tentative rate must be sent to the county treasurer on schedule so the county can meet truth-in-taxation notification and public-hearing deadlines; council members said they will continue working on budget reductions and revenue clarifications and reconvene with staff before the final vote.

Ending

Council members said they will review the departmental line-item detail that staff will provide with the tentative budget, continue outreach to schools of thought and partner agencies about revenue and service priorities, and schedule public hearings as required by statute before finalizing the 2026 budget and tax rate.