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Ogden mayor presents balanced FY26 budget emphasizing 'Ogden Way' framework and modest pay adjustments
Summary
Mayor Ben Nadalski presented a proposed FY26 budget built around the 'Ogden Way' framework that aims for a balanced budget without a tax increase, modest cost-of-living adjustments for employees, and investments in capital projects across parks, public safety and infrastructure.
Mayor Ben Nadalski presented his proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the Ogden City Council on Tuesday, describing a balanced plan that does not include a tax increase and centers on a policy framework he calls “the Ogden Way.” The mayor said the budget seeks efficiencies, partnership-driven funding and a focus on seven pillars he described as “pillars of human success.”
Nadalski told the council the budget was assembled with an eye to both external economic uncertainty and local pressures, including housing affordability and federal employment risks. He said the city would pursue partnerships, grant opportunities and internal consolidations to help balance services without raising taxes.
Key proposals the mayor summarized include a compensation package to keep city pay competitive: a 2.97 percent cost-of-living increase combined with a 1.5 percent merit pool for general employees, and a 2.9 percent cost-of-living increase for sworn public safety employees with merit increases provided through existing step programs. He said the plan aligns compensation with performance measures the administration intends to build into upcoming dashboards.
The mayor highlighted capital investments in the proposed CIP: roughly $3 million for parks and recreation projects (including Lester Park and pickleball court investments and pool repairs), about $24 million in strong-infrastructure projects (citywide road improvements, Valley Drive, water and stormwater master plan work), and $1.7 million for public-safety projects in FY26 — including funding for a fire training tower and station upgrades.
Nadalski also described a stepped-up grant-seeking effort and a newly funded grant-writer capacity in police, fire and public services; the administration reported many grants applied for in recent months totaling millions in potential funds. He praised the “My Hometown Ogden” volunteer program, which the presentation said had completed hundreds of neighborhood projects and contributed thousands of volunteer hours.
Council members moved to accept the mayor’s proposed budget for review; the motion by Council Member Ritchie, seconded by Council Member Meyers, passed on a voice vote. The budget will be subject to a series of work sessions and public hearings; the mayor said the document will be posted online and staff will return with more detail in scheduled work sessions.
Nadalski said the proposal is conservative, adds modest investments in priority areas and relies on grant revenue and efficiencies rather than new taxes. He asked the council to vet the proposal in the coming weeks and indicated staff will provide more specific program- and department-level information at the scheduled work sessions.
