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Alpine council approves Lone Peak Safety District tentative budget amid wage increases
Summary
The Alpine City Council voted 5-0 May 13 to approve the Lone Peak Public Safety District's tentative budget for FY 2026 after hearing staff explain a roughly 4.6% districtwide increase that includes wage raises and new engineer positions in the fire department.
The Alpine City Council on May 13 approved the Lone Peak Public Safety District's tentative budget for fiscal 2026, voting 5-0 to forward the district's numbers ahead of its final budget adoption.
The tentative budget approved May 13 would raise the district's overall budget about 4.6%, with Alpine's share increasing most notably for fire services. Staff told the council Alpine's administration allocation would drop about $4,200 while police and fire allocations would rise by roughly $18,000 and $121,000, respectively.
Shane (City finance director) and Lone Peak representatives told council the tentative budget includes a 6% wage increase the district approved to help make local wages more competitive. The police department sought about 8% but was reduced to 6% in the district's tentative budget; fire requested roughly 8—9% when merit increases were included. The Lone Peak tentative budget also creates three engineer positions in the fire department and a $1-per-hour increase for part-time firefighters.
Council members asked for detail on the rise in overtime and standby costs. Lone Peak staff explained higher wages drive some overtime increases and that fire shift structures and understaffing during peak seasons also push overtime higher. The council was told the Alpine portion of the district's increases will be finalized after other member cities act and noted the interlocal agreement requires council action when the district's annual increase exceeds the local property-tax allowance.
Councilman Jason Thielen moved to approve the tentative budget; Councilwoman Jessica Smuin seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded as: Jessica Smuin, yes; Kelly Law, yes; Chrissy Hanneman, yes; Jason Thielen, yes; Brent Remler, yes. The motion passed unanimously.
The district's final budget will be on a subsequent agenda for each member city before final adoption.
Why it matters: The Lone Peak budget sets salaries and staffing for police and fire services shared by Alpine and Highland cities. Wage adjustments and added engineer positions are intended to reduce turnover and equipment costs but increase near-term operating expenses.
