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Salem City Council approves annexation policy, Garner annexation and a package of budget and capital items
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the Salem City Council approved an annexation policy and accepted the Salem Central Garner annexation, adopted a 6% residential electric-rate increase, approved the purchase of a new fire engine, accepted the tentative FY2027 budget, and approved multiple projects and payments including a $172,009.20 property purchase and bills totaling $2,933,673.40.
The Salem City Council voted unanimously on May 20 to approve a slate of ordinances, purchases and budgetary items, led by adoption of a new annexation policy and approval of the Salem Central Garner annexation.
Annexation policy and Garner annexation approved The council voted 4–0 to adopt an ordinance establishing Salem’s annexation policy and to accept the Salem Central Garner annexation (approximately 861 UT-198), which will be zoned A-1. City Attorney Walter Bird briefed the council on required service standards — including sewer, water, curb and gutter and dedicated water shares — and on notification requirements for affected entities.
Electric rates Finance Director Jeff Nielson presented a resolution to respond to a roughly 15% wholesale cost increase from UMPA. The council approved a 6% increase to residential rates to moderate the rate shock to customers while addressing higher wholesale costs. Nielson said the adjustment is being implemented proactively ahead of the new budget year in July.
Public safety and capital purchases The council approved purchase of a replacement fire engine after staff said the current engine (a 1993 model) is beyond the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended service period and is increasingly costly to maintain. City staff said the Three Bridges development is contractually required to cover the cost to upgrade the planned vehicle to four-wheel drive. The council also approved leasing a larger Vermeer chipper for the green waste facility at an initial cost of $10,000 for the season.
Canal Trail agreement and land purchase Council approved a second amendment to Interlocal Agreement 2022-444 with Utah County to finalize funding for the Salem Canal Trail project, including a 10% contingency payment ($277,676). The council then approved purchase of the Travis and Shasta Parry property (1,141 linear feet / 18,260 sq ft) for $172,009.20 to complete the corridor.
Other approvals The council approved a state-required update to the Drinking Water Wells Source Protection Plan for $13,200, approved minutes from May 6, 2026, and authorized payment of bills totaling $2,933,673.40. The council also accepted the tentative FY2027 budget so staff can schedule a public hearing and finalize the budget at the June 3 meeting.
Votes and attendance Recorded votes on the recorded items showed four ayes: Councilperson Tim De Graw (attending via Zoom), Councilperson Delys Snyder, Councilperson Craig Sacco and Councilperson Cynthia Deveraux Rees. Councilperson Paul Taylor was excused. Mayor Cristy Simons presided; staff present included City Manager Matt Marziale and Finance Director Jeff Nielson.
What’s next Several items (notably sewer financing) remain in the discussion stage and will return to the council for further decisions; the tentative budget will move to a public hearing and final action on June 3.
