Roy City Council adopts FY2026 budget, approves tax increase and short-term wage measures

The Roy City Council on Aug. 19 approved Resolution 25-24, adopting the city's fiscal year 2026 budget and authorizing a property tax increase tied to employee pay adjustments and limited one-time spending.

The vote came after a public comment period and a focused public hearing on the truth-in-taxation process. Amber (finance staff) told the council the city had followed truth-in-taxation requirements and that a 28% property tax increase would add $1,423,978 to the general fund, increasing the average Roy household's tax bill by about $108.10 per year ($9.01 per month).

Why it matters: Council members and department leaders said the city faces high turnover in frontline departments and a widening gap between local pay and peer cities, which they said is reducing service capacity. Voters and residents who spoke at the hearing were split: many urged the council to protect public safety staffing; others pressed the council to find additional efficiencies or use one-time reserves rather than recurring tax revenue.

Most important facts first: The council adopted the final FY2026 budget and a motion that included use of a 28% maximum tax increase, a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment approach and a limited use of one-time funds for urgent needs. The roll-call vote recorded five affirmative votes and no opposition; the council's action implements the budget the city manager submitted and sets the certified tax rate for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2025.

What the council decided and why: Amber told the meeting a tentative budget had been approved June…