Pleasant Grove council adopts tentative FY2027 budget and opens public review of proposed property-tax increase

The Pleasant Grove City Council on May 5 adopted a tentative fiscal-year 2027 budget that includes a staff proposal to increase the city's property-tax rate and generate an estimated $683,088 for public-safety hires and retention. The motion to adopt the tentative budget passed 3–1 after extended discussion about staffing needs, budget philosophy and outreach to residents.

City Manager Scott explained the budget approach and the reasons staff recommended contemplating a property-tax increase, saying the city's growth in sales-tax revenues has been flattening and that personnel costs account for roughly 75% of operating expenses. "This is the way that we recommend when we do the budget," Scott said, summarizing a philosophy of conservative revenue estimates and using one-time surplus funds primarily for capital.

Denise Roy, the city's budget officer and finance director, presented the tentative budget and the property-tax impact schedule required by new state law. Roy said the proposal would increase the city's property-tax rate from 0.000962 to 0.001121 (an estimated 16.55% change to the city's rate) and would raise about $683,088. Roy said the estimated annual cost to a primary residence with the sample valuation in the impact schedule would be about $49.97.

The staff proposal earmarks the revenue for three firefighters, two police officers, reserve and retention funding. Roy walked the council through departmental impacts, noting the police request added approximately $365,088 and the fire request about $318,000 as part of the total.

Council members debated whether adopting a tentative budget that includes a proposed tax increase is merely a procedural step to enable public engagement or a political signal that could harden public opposition. Council Member Phillips, who moved to adopt the tentative budget, said a yes vote allows the council to hold the necessary public conversation and fully vet alternatives. "We're not approving a tax increase here; we're simply opening the door to have the discussion," Phillips said.

Council Member Williams opposed the motion, arguing that staff and the council should pursue additional reallocation, savings and phased approaches before putting a double-digit percentage on the table. During the public comment period preceding the vote, several residents urged the council to prioritize police and fire funding but also asked staff to explore alternatives to an immediate tax increase and to use surplus funds where appropriate.

By roll call the motion to adopt the tentative budget passed 3–1 (Rogers: yes; Phillips: yes; Lamone: yes; Williams: no). After that vote Council adopted the property-tax impact schedule and related resolutions required by HB236 and Utah Code 59-2-919/59-2-924; those actions set public-notice steps and scheduled a truth-in-taxation hearing for Aug. 11, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Pleasant Grove City Community Room.

Mayor Jensen and staff emphasized that the tentative budget is not final: the council directed staff to prepare alternate impact statements for lower-increase scenarios (examples requested: 3%, 5%, 8% and 10%) and to bring comparison materials to the next council meeting so the public and council can consider tradeoffs. Scott said the final budget adoption date is scheduled for June 22, at which point the council can set a final rate for any proposed increase.

What comes next: staff will provide the council with alternate impact statements and analysis of where revenue or spending adjustments might reduce the proposed tax increase. The city will publish the property-tax impact schedule as required, and residents may testify at the Aug. 11 truth-in-taxation hearing before any final council action on a property-tax change.