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Pleasant Grove considers property‑tax proposal to add firefighters and bolster police staffing
Summary
Councilors reviewed a budget one‑pager and public‑safety materials showing firefighter and officer shortfalls; staff outlined a possible property‑tax request to fund three additional firefighters and additional police resources while calling for robust public outreach prior to any formal levy proposal.
Pleasant Grove — City staff presented a one‑page budget summary at a work session and advised councilors that a property‑tax proposal under consideration would fund public‑safety staffing increases intended to reduce open firefighting shifts and expand police capacity.
Denise, who presented the budget summary, said sales‑tax receipts came in higher than expected and that the city plans to budget sales tax revenue "just over $11 million." She also described CARE tax allocations: funding for an ambulance replacement this year and a proposed $342,000 CARE tax contribution to phase one of a library pavilion, while transfers will continue to support cultural and historic programs.
On public safety, staff showed that Pleasant Grove’s full‑time firefighters per 1,000 residents rank below nearby cities and said the proposed property‑tax funding would hire three full‑time firefighters to alleviate frequent 'open shifts,' reduce reliance on outside agencies for stacked ambulance calls and improve response flexibility. Fire leadership said part‑time hiring is difficult, stacked calls are increasing, and that additional full‑time staff would help but would not ‘‘change things overnight.’’
Police leadership told the council that assaults have increased roughly 30 percent since 2021 and domestic‑violence incidents about 35 percent, and described several significant local drug seizures over the past 18 months. Chief Brown said the department is short‑staffed, relies on a reserve program to fill gaps, and faces time‑consuming investigations. "Drugs aren't coming to PG. They're already here," Chief Brown said, adding that complex drug investigations, mental‑health calls and domestic incidents tie up officers for many hours.
Councilors asked staff to brief them on the updated truth‑in‑taxation process and to consider more robust public engagement before any formal levy decision. Several council members said they want public outreach — including an FAQ and possible surveys — so residents can weigh in on funding priorities before a formal proposal is filed. No formal property‑tax decision or vote occurred at the work session.
