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Weber County staff present 2026 budget with no proposed tax increase; paramedic fund faces $1.2 million shortfall
Summary
County staff told commissioners at a Nov. 25 hearing that Weber County is not proposing a tax increase for 2026, but projected a roughly $1.2 million shortfall in the paramedic fund and plans to use fund balance in 2026 while reviewing options for 2027. The final budget is expected Dec. 16.
At a Nov. 25 public hearing, county staff presented the Weber County tentative operating and capital budget for 2026 and said the commission is not proposing a tax increase for next year. “The Weber County Commissioners are not seeking any tax increases for 2026,” Stephanie Ebert said during the presentation.
Ebert, who led the budget briefing, described the county’s revenue structure and constraints: about two-thirds of county revenue comes from taxes (property and sales), charges for services and grants; the county retains roughly 16–18% of property taxes collected, so only a portion of a homeowner’s tax bill funds county services. Ebert said the county’s general fund revenues for 2026 are projected at nearly $105 million, with just over $40 million coming from property taxes.
The presentation highlighted personnel costs as the county’s largest expenditure, with roughly 69% of the general fund allocated to employee compensation and benefits. Ebert described planned compensation adjustments following a Baker Tilly market study and said most employees will see total increases of about 3.5% (a market adjustment plus a 1.5% performance allocation); elected officials were proposed to receive a 3% increase.
Ebert also warned of a funding pressure in emergency medical services: the county added a paramedic unit in 2025 and expanded rescue and heavy-rescue contracts, creating a projected shortfall of about $1.2 million in the paramedic fund for 2026. “We will use our fund balance savings for 2026,” she said, and commissioners agreed to review the fund’s status for 2027.
Commissioners praised staff for managing the budget without a proposed tax increase. Commissioner Jim Harvey invited residents with questions to contact the commission over the next two weeks; staff said the final budget adoption is scheduled for the Dec. 16 regular meeting. No public speakers stepped forward during the budget portion of the hearing.
The budget presentation also described planned capital work — building repairs, a remodel of the Weber Center, parking improvements and projects at parks and recreation facilities — and ongoing planning for medical and mental health expansion at the county jail.
Formal action on the tentative budget was not taken at the Nov. 25 meeting; the commission accepted comments as part of the statutorily required hearing and will consider adoption on Dec. 16.
