River Heights council adopts 2025 budget, approves property tax increase

River Heights 'The River Heights City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the final 2025 budget and a property tax revenue increase that raises the city's revenue target from about $115,600 to $149,500, moving the certified tax rate from 0.000489 to 0.000615.

Mayor Blake Wright opened the Truth in Taxation hearing and asked Margie Rasevich, a regional planning presenter affiliated with an Association of Governments, to explain how tax rates are calculated. Rasevich told the council and about two dozen attendees that municipalities set a revenue target and that the certified tax rate is then calculated based on property values; if property values rise and the revenue target does not, the tax rate declines.

The council's proposal would increase the average annual city portion of taxes on a median parcel (listed at $543,000 in the city handout) from $142.16 to $183.67'an increase of $41.51 per year. Council materials framed the $33,900 increase in property-tax-derived revenue as intended to cover rising operating costs and to stabilize funding for general-fund services.

Nut graf: The vote finalizes a modest but politically sensitive revenue increase for one of the valley's smaller municipalities. Supporters said the city has not raised taxes in many years and needs modest additional stable revenue to maintain services; opponents said the council should pursue tighter spending controls or alternative revenue streams before asking homeowners for more.

Council discussion and staff explanation

Michelle Jensen, River Heights treasurer, and Clayton Nelson, public works director, sat with council during the hearing while Rasevich presented. Jensen summarized that River Heights' total operating budget includes multiple revenue sources (grants, sales taxes, enterprise funds) and that roughly $115,600 from property taxes had been a stable portion of the city budget.

Council members and staff explained that enterprise funds (water and sewer) pay for related projects and that the proposed property tax increase would be allocated to the general fund to cover administrative and project costs not covered by enterprise revenues. Mayor Wright said leasing revenue from the old school building is beginning to help offset expenses but would not obviate the need for the tax increase.

Public comment

Speakers at the hearing voiced differing views. Shelley Giddings, a resident, and other commenters said the council should tighten spending, questioned staff raises and certain park and maintenance expenditures, and asked for clearer public reporting of project costs. Lisa Ellis and other residents asked for clearer line-item reporting for recent capital projects such as Stuart Hill Park and for a clearer public accounting of how grants and RAPS funds were used.

Cindy Schaub asked that transaction records and check registers be made easily available; councilors and staff explained that transactions are reported quarterly via the statewide Transparency Utah portal and that budget workshops and minutes are public. Several residents, including Britney Cascio and a long-time couple who identified themselves as River Heights residents, expressed support for the increase, saying rising costs and deferred capital needs justify modest increases.

Key figures and clarifications

- Current certified tax rate (as presented): 0.000489. - Proposed certified tax rate: 0.000615. - Current property-tax revenue (approx.): $115,600. - Proposed property-tax revenue target: $149,500 (increase of about $33,900). - Estimated change on an example $400,000 primary-residence parcel (taxed at 55% of value): River Heights portion rises from $108 to $135 (about $27 per year). - Average parcel value cited in handout: $543,000; city portion would rise from $142.16 to $183.67 ($41.51).

Council action and outcome

Following public comment, a councilmember moved to adopt the resolution setting final tax rates and the 2025 budget to reach a property-tax revenue target of $149,500. The motion was seconded, and council members indicated unanimous assent by voice vote. The council therefore adopted the 2025 budget and the higher property-tax revenue target; staff noted the process complies with the state's Truth in Taxation schedule and that the county auditor and state tax commission processes were coordinated as required.

Why it matters

For River Heights, a small municipality with limited commercial tax base, the property-tax increase provides a predictable revenue stream to cover steady administrative costs and to shore up the general fund. Residents who are on fixed incomes or who are concerned about recent park expenditures said the council's next step should be to publish clear project accounting and explore alternatives (grants, increased leasing revenue, modest sales-tax-generating commercial uses) before future increases.

What the council said it will do next

Councilmembers encouraged residents to review the city's budget workshop materials and quarterly reporting. Staff said they will continue to pursue grant programs and COG (Council of Governments) funding for specific capital projects and will work to provide clearer public accounting of project expenditures and grant matches.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution adopting final tax rates and 2025 budgets (property-tax revenue target $149,500; tax rate 0.000615): approved (voice vote; council indicated unanimous support).