Weber County officials on Nov. 25 presented a tentative 2026 operating and capital budget that avoids a county tax increase and relies on fund balance to cover a projected $1.2 million shortfall in the paramedic fund.

"The Weber County Commissioners are not seeking any tax increases for 2026," county budget presenter Stephanie Ebert told the commission during a public hearing on the proposed budget. Ebert said the county expects nearly $105 million in general fund revenue for 2026, with about $40 million coming from property taxes, and noted the county retains only about 16%–18% of property-tax dollars collected on a typical bill.

Why this matters: Ebert said the paramedic fund is strained by increased call volumes, higher operating costs and a north-end paramedic unit added in 2025 that costs roughly $620,000 annually. Those pressures, plus other contract and staffing costs, produced the estimated $1.2 million shortfall for 2026. Rather than raise taxes immediately, the commission was presented with a plan to use fund balance savings to cover 2026 and reassess impacts for 2027.

Ebert also walked commissioners through Weber County’s fund structure, noting the county serves as a tax collector for about 85 taxing entities and divides revenue across roughly 21 reporting funds. She flagged a forecasted reduction in some grant-funded revenues (notably for library and health department programs) as COVID-era grants wind down.

On compensation, Ebert said the county used a Baker Tilly market study to inform pay changes. "Most employees were close to or within market. However, many of our sworn public safety staff were not within market," she said. The county proposes a market adjustment plus performance-based increases (about 1.5%), meaning many employees would see roughly a 3.5% total increase; elected officials would receive a 3% adjustment. The commission also discussed adopting a separate pay plan for the Weber County Sheriff’s Office to address sworn-staff market gaps.

Public comment included a question from resident John Arrington, who asked whether the compensation table’s auto allowance line would change. Arrington said he understood the market adjustments for law enforcement but sought clarification on which elements were being changed. Staff confirmed auto allowances were unchanged and that the market adjustment lines reflected the new increases.

Commissioners praised staff for limiting the budget impact on taxpayers and for identifying internal options to fund pay adjustments. Chair Sharon Bolos said the commission prioritized employees over some capital transfers, acknowledging that certain projects may be delayed to preserve staffing and compensation increases.

The commission took public comment and heard the presentation; no formal action was required at the hearing. The commission is scheduled to consider final budget adoption on Dec. 16 at a regular meeting.