Ivins council debates Truth in Taxation cap; informal lean toward $860,000 option

Ivins City Council used a June 19 work meeting to continue discussion of the fiscal-year-2026 budget and whether to pursue Truth in Taxation, with staff presenting three scenarios and councilmembers debating the public-notice cap to file for the required notice.

Cade and other staff outlined three illustrative scenarios: a lower option that narrows the operating shortfall, an $860,000 option the staff described as covering core operating and capital needs more modestly, and a larger $1,350,000 option that staff said would more fully replenish reserves and capital accounts under the current projections. Councilmember Scott asked a procedural question: “Do we have to come up with a number that we're looking for tonight so that we can get an actual rate?” Staff answered that the council must identify a ceiling to be posted the next day; the final adopted number can be lower but cannot exceed the posted cap.

Council discussion and concerns

Several councilmembers and residents said they wanted to minimize the impact on residents on fixed incomes. Sharon said, “I think we should do every maneuver we can to make that $8.60 be less,” urging use of available restricted or one‑time funds where appropriate. Other councilmembers said they were comfortable using $860,000 as the cap for the public notice but asked staff to recheck May and June revenue receipts (sales tax and transient room tax), recent wrap-tax balances and any one‑time savings before making a final decision.

Staff, revenue timing and other revenue sources

Staff noted that some revenue streams are timing‑sensitive: the MPO funding referenced earlier affects transportation planning costs, and the city expects additional tax reports in the weeks before the August hearings that could change the revenue picture. Councilmembers also discussed potential future revenue from local development projects such as Black Desert and Hidden Springs; staff and council cautioned those revenues are not immediate and should not be relied on to cover near-term operating shortfalls.

No formal vote

Council did not adopt a final cap at the June 19 meeting. Staff was asked to post a cap number by the deadline for the Truth in Taxation notice (staff said they must file a ceiling by the next day) and to provide updated revenue figures for the next meeting so the council can choose a final, adopted rate. The council emphasized they want the public notice to be as close as possible to the number they intend to adopt.

Next steps

- Staff to file the public-notice cap by the deadline and deliver updated May/June revenue data and the next quarterly reports before council final action. - The council will revisit the final rate in August after reviewing updated revenue and one‑time funding options. No ordinance or tax increase was adopted at the June 19 meeting.