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Lindon staff outline budget calendar, flag sales-tax volatility and falling property-tax share
Summary
Finance staff reviewed the calendar for the FY2026 budget process and highlighted that sales tax—Lindon’s largest revenue source—has been volatile in recent years while property tax's share of general revenue has shrunk despite new development.
Finance staff presented the budget calendar and an overview of Lindon’s major revenue sources, telling the council tentative budget milestones and calling attention to sales-tax volatility and slower property-tax growth.
Finance staff (Kristen Aaron and Adam Cowie) said department head requests are due within the schedule set for preparing the tentative budget on March 11, discussion at the April 21 council meeting, and tentative adoption on May 19 with the final budget on June 16. Kristen emphasized the need to have major changes or large-ticket items identified by April 21 so staff can model impacts for the council.
On revenues, staff reported that sales tax is Lindon’s largest revenue source and that the city receives roughly 65% of its local 1% sales-tax dollar due to state distribution mechanics. Staff highlighted recent volatility—large spikes and dips month to month—and cautioned reliance on sales tax during a downturn. Property-tax growth has been relatively muted over recent years despite new development, which staff attributed to assessment and tax-valuation dynamics at the county level and to the county’s certified-rate adjustments.
Kristen outlined park-tax allocations adopted in 2023 (32% facility maintenance, 20% aquatic improvements, 20% parks and trails, 18% other uses and debt service, 10% community center improvements) and noted a set debt-service line item of $85,000 for park-related debt.
Why it matters: The calendar sets the public steps for budget adoption; revenue composition matters because Lindon is more dependent on sales tax (which is volatile) and less on property tax (which is more stable but has shrunk as a share of revenue). Council members flagged the importance of timely department requests to keep the schedule.
What’s next: Staff asked council members to submit department head questions and big-ticket items in time for the April 21 meeting and for department heads to return refined requests; staff will produce proposed budgets and options in advance of tentative and final adoption dates.
Evidence: Statements by Kristen Aaron on calendar dates and by Adam Cowie on revenue composition at Lindon’s budget kickoff work session.
