Layton council adopts tentative budget schedule, approves wastewater report and easement purchase; RAMP funding considered for pool dome

Layton City Council on May 1 approved a slate of consent items including adoption of the city’s 2024 Municipal Wastewater Planning Program annual report and the tentative FY2025–26 budget, while flagging a possible RAMP funding decision for a new pool dome.

Finance director Tracy Colbert presented the tentative budget, which sets the general fund at approximately $49.9 million and a citywide budget of roughly $128 million. Colbert said the tentative plan includes market and merit adjustments for employees, $3.1 million for capital equipment and $23.8 million in capital projects, and a schedule that places the public hearing on the tentative budget on June 5 with final adoption targeted for June 17.

Colbert described two scenarios for the city’s Recreation, Arts and Municipal Parks (RAMP) fund if the RAMP election passes or fails. The Surf & Swim dome replacement is estimated at about $1.1 million; moving that cost to RAMP would reduce strain on the general fund while front‑loading RAMP awards and collection timing. Colbert also noted staff were considering a budget amendment to allow ordering and deposit payment for a wave machine this season so it can be installed while the bubble is off.

On utilities, public works staff recommended adoption of the municipal wastewater planning report required by the Utah Division of Water Quality. Public works highlighted key figures: “The system replacement cost for our entire sewer system is $400,000,000,” and the city reported no reportable sanitary sewer overflows for 2024. Staff recommended adoption of Resolution 25‑25 to transmit the annual report to the state, which the council approved as part of consent.

Council also approved several other consent resolutions: acceptance of an annexation petition for the Stephenson Annex (Resolution 25‑23) and an agreement with Davis County to administer the city’s mail ballot municipal election (Resolution 25‑26). The council approved purchase of a critical easement from the Peacefield HOA (Resolution 25‑29) after negotiations: an MAI appraisal valued the easement at $2,900, the HOA requested $15,000 and provided a signed offer; the easement vote passed 4–1.

What’s next: the tentative budget document will be posted to the city website; the council will hold a public hearing June 5 and consider final adoption on June 17. Staff will also follow up with the RAMP committee and the developer on project timing if the council chooses to move a pool project into RAMP funding.