Interlaken council approves tentative FY2026 budget; proposes 15% county tax increase and council stipends

The Interlaken Town Council approved a tentative fiscal year 2026 budget Tuesday that proposes a 15% increase in Wasatch County property-tax revenue for the town to shore up road reserves, continues the full-year effect of a water-rate increase and includes a proposed ordinance to pay stipends to some council members.

The tentative budget, presented by town staff, would raise Wasatch County tax revenue from roughly $200,000 to about $230,000, generating an estimated additional $30,000 that the council intends to place into a transportation (road) reserve fund. Council members also included a $70,000 line for a water master plan and retained the full-year effect of a previously approved water-rate increase as a revenue source.

The tentative budget matters because Interlaken’s leaders said the town faces recurring, high-cost needs for road maintenance and water-system upgrades — liabilities that councilors described as the town’s core assets. With several costly repairs in recent years, council members said building reserves now reduces the likelihood of a large special assessment later.

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