Kanarraville board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves a series of augmentations and land purchase

The Kanarraville Town Board approved its 2025–26 municipal budget and several related budget augmentations during a June 19 meeting at Kanarraville Town Hall, adopting a certified tax rate consistent with the town’s previous levy and authorizing a capital purchase of the building at 15 South Main.

Heidi, speaking on behalf of town staff, said, “Our revenues exceeded appropriations in the general fund by $325,000,” and proposed augmentations that would shift about $312,000 into specific departments and $100,000 into the capital projects fund that has already been transferred.

Why it matters: The votes set the town’s fiscal plan for the coming year, allocate money for immediate maintenance and capital projects, and authorize the purchase of a building intended for municipal use. Several decisions depend on future grant results and appraisals discussed during the meeting.

The board voted to increase appropriations in multiple areas after staff reported higher-than-expected revenues for the prior year. Notable adjustments in the general fund included an additional $28,000 for highways and streets (driven largely by chip-seal costs), $19,000 for cemetery work, and a $165,000 total augmentation for parks and recreation items (which includes cemetery electrical work and related costs). Staff said a $100,000 transfer to the capital projects fund has already been completed; the augmentation formalizes that transfer in the town’s budget documents.

Staff also described enterprise-fund (water) pressures and asked the board to augment the enterprise budget by $30,000 to cover higher expenditures than anticipated. Heidi said water revenues were lower than budgeted as usage has declined and that some repairs and operational costs rose late in the fiscal year.

Board members discussed several capital and maintenance items during debate. Fire-hydrant work drew attention: the fire chief and staff identified seven problem hydrants (five leaking, one needing full replacement and one new installation). Staff reported preliminary cost estimates including repair kits, labor, and full replacement — and said the town has budgeted roughly $25,000 next year to address replacements.

Budget authors also included equipment and vehicle contingencies: a first bid for a fire truck came in at $54,000 (excluding optional packages) and staff proposed adding $15,000 to cover an XLT package or a snowplow attachment if required.

Staff presented the town’s option to use up to $147,000 of unappropriated general-fund balance if needed; the township’s unappropriated fund balance at the end of the prior year was reported as $363,000. The board discussed preferring to avoid drawing fund balance where possible but acknowledged contingencies tied to grant awards and capital purchases.

A related item discussed during the hearing was a staff-led application to the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation Initiative to support purchase of the Ruggowski property to expand parking capacity near Kanarraville Falls. Heidi said the statewide program has $30 million available annually, with roughly $5 million allocated to the southwest region; the town has submitted an initial project-interest form, expects to finalize an appraisal and, if appropriate, enter contract negotiations next month. The grant timeline staff gave: a formal application in August, the regional board’s deliberation in October, and awards announced in November. Staff emphasized the program is a no-match grant but would only fund up to the appraised value or comparable market comp of the property.

Votes at a glance - Resolution O6-19-25 (establish 2025–26 general, enterprise and capital fund budgets; set certified tax rate): Motion stated as read; motion and second recorded. Roll-call: Brandon Johnson — yes; Jared Blackburn — yes; Mayor Alred — did not vote; Stoney Sugar — yes; Kaye Williams — yes. Outcome: approved. - Resolution O6-19-2025A (augment 2024–25 general fund appropriations): Motion to approve; motion seconded. Roll-call: Brandon Johnson — yes; Jared Blackburn — yes; Stoney Sugar — yes; Kaye Williams — yes. Outcome: approved. - Resolution O6-19-2025B (augment capital projects fund to authorize purchase of land/building at 15 South Main): Motion to approve; seconded. Roll-call: Brandon Johnson — yes; (transcript record shows Ward Glasser — yes); Stoney Sugar — yes; Dain Williams — yes. Outcome: approved. - Resolution O6-19-2025C (augment enterprise/water fund): Motion to approve; seconded. Roll-call: recorded in sequence with majority yes (transcript shows Sony/Stoney Sugar and others voting yes). Outcome: approved.

Discussion versus decision: Board discussion covered where certain items should be charged (debate over whether hydrant work belongs in the enterprise/water fund or general/public-safety budgets), the possibility of dipping into fund balance to support a planned $110,000 capital transfer for a future fire-station project, and contingency planning depending on grant awards. Formal decisions were the four roll-call votes described above.

After the votes, staff completed required roll-call confirmations and closed the public-hearing portions of the meeting.

What’s next: Staff expects to finalize appraisal and contract details if the town proceeds with earnest money for the Ruggowski property; the grant process would determine whether external funding will cover purchase. The board also signaled that budget augmentations could be revisited during next year’s cycle if circumstances change.