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Saratoga Springs advances tentative budget after staff warns of possible 54% property tax‑rate spike to fund public safety
Summary
City staff told the council they are considering a property‑tax rate increase that could raise roughly $3.1 million for police and fire; the council adopted required budget statements and set an interim budget hearing date after a staff presentation on department cuts that would follow if the increase is not approved.
City staff told the Saratoga Springs City Council on May 19 that the city is considering a property‑tax rate that would exceed its certified rate and could generate about $3.1 million for public safety, and the council adopted the required budget statements and schedule for further hearings.
The council unanimously passed Resolution R26‑28, a statutorily required statement tied to the tentative FY2026–27 budget, after staff laid out the potential tax‑rate change. “The city is considering levying a tax rate that exceeds the fiscal‑year taxing entity certified tax rate,” a staff presenter said, noting the current rate of 0.000976 and a proposed illustrative rate of 0.002001524 that would produce approximately $3,100,000 in additional ad valorem revenue to fund public safety.
Why it matters: staff emphasized that the tentative budget includes a list of department requests that are contingent on the tax increase. The packet and the new “property tax impact schedule” show which positions and programs would not proceed if the council does not approve the increase. Examples highlighted by finance staff included a proposed senior accounts‑payable/accounts‑receivable clerk (listed at roughly $102,000), reductions to parks and streets funding, and additional police and fire staffing that would be curtailed without the increased revenue.
Finance staff also presented high‑level totals for funds and projects, explaining that the general fund recommended increase would be roughly $3.2 million and that, with the proposed property tax, general‑fund resources could increase by around $6.0 million across the budget package. The presentation covered capital and enterprise funds (water, storm drain, sewer) and noted that some line items—such as design work for a new fire station—are budgeted now while funding sources for construction remain to be determined.
Council set the interim budget adoption and public hearing schedule: staff said they anticipate adopting an interim budget at the June 2 meeting and will set a public hearing for that date at 6 p.m., and noted required notices to the State Tax Commission and the county auditor have already been sent. “If the city proceeds with the proposed tax‑rate increase, the city will provide notice and conduct a public hearing as required by Utah code,” staff said.
What’s next: the public will have additional opportunities to comment at the scheduled interim and final budget hearings in June; council members asked staff to provide the detailed slope of departmental impacts and to add any requested clarifications to the packet before those hearings.
Votes and procedure: The council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution R26‑28 at the May 19 meeting; staff also presented the tentative budget and a tax‑impact schedule to inform the public hearing process.
