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Toquerville council approves FY2026–27 compensation schedule and adopts midyear budget changes
Summary
Council adopted the FY2026–27 compensation schedule (2.7% COLA, up to 4% merit) and approved a midyear budget amendment reducing general fund revenues and expenses by roughly $188,000; council also adopted an interim FY2026–27 budget. One council member voted against the compensation ordinance.
The Toquerville City Council voted to adopt the annual compensation schedule for fiscal years 2026–27 and approved two budget measures during the June 2 meeting: a midyear amendment to the FY2025–26 budget and an interim budget for FY2026–27.
City staff said the compensation schedule is required by state statute. The adopted schedule sets a cost-of-living adjustment tied to the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI at 2.7% (effective July 1) and a merit component capped at 4%. City Manager Ben Billingsley explained the merit portion is discretionary and tied to annual performance evaluations; he noted the merit mechanism allows movement within salary ranges rather than guaranteed pay increases. During debate, one council member warned that repeated maximum merits could push employees to the top of ranges and complicate affordability; council recorded one 'Nay' from Wayne during the roll call but otherwise approved the ordinance.
On finance, staff presented a midyear amended budget that trims general-fund revenues and expenses by about $188,000 to reflect lower-than-expected building-permit receipts. Billingsley noted a specific appropriation of roughly $58,000 for transportation-master-plan work funded by a previous grant, an increase in projected legal expenses (from $190,000 to $260,000), and a capital increase for Westfield Park from $400,000 to $500,000 to account for timing and potential change orders. Council approved the amended budget resolution.
Council also adopted the interim FY2026–27 budget, which excludes any potential truth-in-taxation property-tax increases from spending authority and earmarks those amounts until the final August budget adoption. Staff explained the interim budget reduces projected building-permit revenue by about $108,000 and reallocated cuts proportionally across legal, street maintenance and department budgets to preserve compliance with state budget rules.
What happens next: the compensation schedule becomes effective July 1 for COLA; merit awards remain subject to annual evaluation and budget conditions. The interim budget will remain in effect until the final budget is adopted following the truth-in-taxation process.
Sources: City staff presentation, council discussion and roll-call votes at the Toquerville City Council meeting.
