Perry council accepts tentative 2026–27 budget; discusses police pay proposal and utility rate changes

PERRY — The Perry City Council voted Tuesday to accept receipt of the tentative fiscal year 2026–27 budget and spent the meeting reviewing line items and staffing proposals that could affect taxes and utility bills.

Shannon Johnson, the city’s budget presenter, said the tentative general fund budget is set at $6,999,997 — a 2.9% increase over the amended fiscal year 2026 figure — and currently relies on $437,324 of unrestricted fund balance to balance revenues and expenditures. "There’s no tax increase in the tentative budget," Johnson said, but she warned that relying on one-time funds for recurring costs would push the city toward a future tax hearing.

The nut of the discussion centered on compensation and public safety costs. Police Chief Barnhill proposed adopting Tremonton’s pay scale for Perry officers, arguing that matching Tremonton would "greatly expand our hiring and recruiting pool" and help retain officers after recent staffing losses. "At the end of the day, I just need people on the streets," Barnhill said while explaining the recruitment rationale.

Council members asked for specifics. Johnson said the tentative budget includes a $120,757 cost for the proposed compensation package citywide, plus additional potential costs if police base pay were moved up to the Tremonton level. The tentative budget also includes funding for a ninth officer for fiscal 2027; Johnson clarified the officer’s full-year cost is reflected in the tentative figures even if the position was only partly funded in the current fiscal year.

Beyond personnel, the council reviewed enterprise funds. Johnson said the water fund assumes $863,403 in expenses and includes a modeled 15% rate increase; storm drain shows a projected loss unless rates rise, and the garbage fund projects revenue of about $477,003.71 and a 5% automatic increase under city code. "If you pass everything I proposed, a typical bill would move from $100.93 to $107.02 — about a 6% increase," Johnson said.

Capital and technology requests were also on the agenda. Johnson presented a one-time $70,091 proposal for VMware-style virtual servers and an $18,000 increase for enhanced IT services to expand response capacity. The council discussed whether alternatives existed and staff said they had reached out to other contractors to vet options.

Council members raised concerns about restricted road funds and the RDA (redevelopment agency). Johnson noted the city’s transit and Class C funds are restricted to road use and cannot be repurposed for police or fire. She also said tax-increment payments to the RDA will reduce the city’s net receipts (she cited roughly $194,000 owed to the RDA and about $155,000 projected to be recaptured by the city), and councilmembers discussed possible amendments to future RDA agreements.

On formal action, the council moved to accept receipt of the tentative budget, with a roll-call vote recording Council members Young, Walker, Osler, Wright and Tueller as voting yes. Mayor (speaker 2) declared, "Motion stands." The motion recorded no dissent. The tentative budget acceptance is an administrative step that allows staff to proceed with public outreach and scheduled hearings.

Next steps: staff will post the tentative budget online, continue budget reviews at upcoming meetings, and present a public hearing on June 11, with final budget and tax-rate action expected by June 30 unless the council elects truth-in-taxation procedures that could extend final adoption into September.

Reporting note: Quotes and details are drawn from the council’s April 14 meeting transcript and attributed to speakers as recorded at the meeting.