Washington Terrace holds tentative budget hearing and outlines proposed property tax increase to fund police contract

City Manager Tom Hanson and Finance Director Shari’ Garrett presented the City of Washington Terrace’s FY2026–27 tentative budget and an impact schedule that would raise the city’s property tax rate from 0.001667 to an estimated 0.00179 to generate $98,100 dedicated to police services.

Hanson told the council the public hearing was on the tentative budget only and not the separate "carve out" for the tax increase. Garrett described the projected revenue change: current city property tax revenue of $1,350,283 versus a proposed $1,448,383 if the rate is adjusted, yielding an estimated $98,100 in new revenue. The presentation listed the estimated homeowner impact for a primary residence valued at $409,000 as $29.61 annually and an equivalent business impact at $53.83.

Hanson said the additional revenue would fund contractual increases for law enforcement services provided through the Weber County Sheriff’s Office. The public hearing drew one speaker, Ulis Gardiner, who asked about publishing employee salaries and suggested exploring consolidation with neighboring Riverdale; no other members of the public spoke and the hearing was closed.

Separately, Hanson opened and closed the required public hearing on an enterprise utility fund transfer, explaining that the transfer documents city use of existing utility capacity (not a cash transfer). He said the city purchases up to 1,000 acre-feet of culinary water annually and currently uses about 750 acre-feet, and that recording the transfer is a procedural requirement when using utility capacity for general governmental operations rather than charging the General Fund.

The council did not take final action on the tax rate at this meeting; Hanson reminded the public that if council proceeds with a tax increase the city will hold the statutorily required hearings and accept public comment.