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Bluffdale council opts to pursue public-safety fee instead of immediate property-tax increase
Summary
After debate and public comment, the City Council removed a proposed property-tax increase for the Fire & Police Protection Fund and directed staff to pursue a public-safety fee (to be set after a fee study); council still adopted the Fire & Police fund budget line but deferred fee details for later action.
The Bluffdale City Council voted to remove a proposed property-tax increase intended to cover an estimated $636,000 shortfall in the Fire & Police Protection Fund and instead directed staff to pursue a public-safety fee to fund the additional service level.
Councilors and staff debated options—raising property taxes, using fund balance, cutting other services, or adopting a dedicated fee. Councilmember Austin moved to approve Resolution 2024-45 that removes the tax increase and places a proposed fee line in the Fire & Police Protection Fund; the motion passed by roll call.
Staff said the fee would be structured following an outside fee study that estimates cost allocation across residential, commercial and multi-family accounts; the study is expected to take about six to eight weeks. The council emphasized transparency: if a fee is adopted later it will be published on bills (for example as a line on the utility bill) and will be set with different rates for residential, commercial and other classes as recommended by the study.
During public comment, residents expressed a mix of views: some urged no new taxes and supported a fee if legally viable; others urged the city to find internal savings instead. Councilmembers also discussed operational mitigations—such as hiring officers but delaying some vehicle purchases—so staffing can improve safety while capital acquisitions await confirmed funding.
Next steps: staff will commission the fee study, return with proposed fee schedules for council review and allow the legal referral window for referendum challenges as required by state law.
