Washington Terrace council adopts tentative FY2026 budget after Truth in Taxation notice

The Washington Terrace City Council on May 5 adopted a tentative fiscal year 2026–27 budget that includes a proposed property tax rate increase the city says would generate roughly $98,100 to cover contractual increases for law-enforcement services provided by the Weber County Sheriff’s Office.

Tom Gildes, a city staff member who read the Truth in Taxation notice to the council, said the city proposes changing the property tax rate from 0.001667 to 0.001799, increasing projected property-tax revenue from $1,350,283 to $1,448,383 — an estimated 7.3% increase in ad valorem revenue. Gildes said the estimated annual impact on a primary residence assessed at $409,000 would be about $29.61; the same valuation for a business would see about a $53.83 increase.

“The approximate dollar amount of this increase is $98,001 increase in ad valorem tax revenue is 7.3%,” Gildes read as part of the statutorily required notice, and said the funds are specifically intended “to fund contractual increases for law enforcement services entered into with Weber County Sheriff’s Office.”

Councilmembers were given a packet showing budget schedules both with and without the proposed tax revenue. Gildes said that approach allows residents to see how city operations would be affected if the rate change is adopted or rejected.

A councilmember moved to adopt the tentative budget, and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the transcript; the mayor announced the motion carried.

The city will publish the budget documents and the Truth in Taxation materials online and will hold a public hearing on the tentative budget on May 19, giving residents a chance to comment before the budget is finalized.

The council also removed agenda item 7.4 from tonight’s agenda and directed it back to the planning commission for further review.