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St. George holds first public hearing on $523.2 million fiscal 2026 budget; no property tax increase proposed
Summary
City budget director Robert Myers presented the city manager's recommended fiscal 2026 budget, $523.2 million across 40 funds, noting no proposed property tax increase and about $190 million in capital projects. The council opened and closed the public hearing; final adoption is planned after a second hearing.
Robert Myers, presenting the city manager's recommended fiscal year 2026 budget, told the St. George City Council the combined budget across more than 40 funds totals $523,200,000 and includes roughly $190,000,000 in capital investments.
“This year's budget does not propose a property tax increase,” Myers said, and described the budget as guided by the city’s first business plan, which he said ties strategic investments to the council’s priorities.
Myers highlighted planned transportation and utility projects — including extensions to George Washington Boulevard, construction and design work at the St. George Airport (air traffic control tower and terminal expansion), water and sewer replacements, and park projects such as construction of Curly Hollow Park phase 1 and Southern Hills Park. He also noted investments in public safety, including nine new positions and new equipment.
Myers said the budget is balanced and supports long-term financial health. He also described the city as one of the fastest-growing in the nation and the fifth-largest city in Utah, with a geographic footprint of more than 78 square miles. He said the budget funds several regional services — including 911 dispatch, the regional wastewater treatment plant and SunTran bus service — that serve surrounding communities.
The council opened the required public hearing to receive input on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and then closed it after no members of the public spoke on the item at that time. Myers said the presentation this evening was the first of two public hearings; he said a second public hearing would be held “on Thursday, June,” and that final adoption would follow the second hearing.
Council members praised staff for transparency and for the process used to develop the budget. Council Member Natalie Larson said, “The budget process has got so much better,” and thanked department heads and staff for improving clarity.
No formal action was taken during the meeting; the hearing was informational and comment-based, with final adoption pending after the second hearing.
