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Wasatch County adopts 2025 budget, approves 2.5% COLA for elected and executive posts
Summary
Wasatch County Council adopted a $118.97 million 2025 budget, authorized limited carry-forward and administrative amendments, and approved a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for elected and executive positions effective the first pay period of 2025.
Wasatch County Council on Dec. 18 approved its 2025 budget and a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for elected and executive positions, while also authorizing limited administrative budget carry-forwards and midyear adjustments with required reporting to the council.
The council voted unanimously to adopt resolution 24-17, which sets the county's 2025 appropriations and adjusts the authorized personnel count to account for midyear additions in the sheriff’s office. County staff described the package as largely timing and accounting changes: many increases in the amended 2024 budget reflect funds already earmarked for projects or grants rather than new spending.
Randy, county finance staff, briefed the council on the third-quarter report that preceded the adoption. He said sales-tax growth that boosted early quarters had leveled off and that development fees were down overall because subdivision activity declined, even as building-inspection fees rose. Randy also explained transfers tied to the payoff of a general-obligation bond and the treatment of corridor-preservation and impact-fee funds.
The council separately held and closed the required public hearing before voting to adopt resolution 24-21, which grants a 2.5% COLA for all elected and executive positions effective the first pay period in 2025 and authorizes step increases for executive positions on anniversary dates. Staff said the change is included in the 2025 budget and asked the council to correct a drafting date to 2025 in the resolution’s whereas clause; council approved the correction and the resolution.
As part of the budget-adoption motion, staff received authority to carry forward limited one-time 2024 appropriations that were previously authorized but not expended (for example, equipment ordered in 2024 but delivered in 2025). The authority includes conditions: carry-forwards must have been approved in the 2024 budget, cannot require future-year contributions beyond what was planned, and will be disclosed to the council. Councilmembers requested that staff announce any administrative budget amendments at the next available council meeting during the manager’s report to preserve transparency.
The manager's office and finance staff said the budget reflects an overall conservative approach intended to avoid audit exceptions: some lines include small cushions to ensure the county does not technically overspend at year-end if revenues arrive late. Council members underscored that these amendments are intended to reflect timing, not unplanned program expansions.
The council concluded the meeting after several other items, including adoption of the 2024 budget amendment and specific programmatic approvals. The county manager will report midyear amendments and any carry-forward actions in upcoming meetings as required under the adopted transparency steps.
