Brian Head council drops proposed $150,000 property tax increase after public hearing

The Brian Head Town Council voted by consensus on May 12 to remove a proposed $150,000 property tax increase from the town’s FY2027 tentative budget following a public hearing and council discussion. Town Treasurer Shane Williamson had told the council the proposal represented "an estimated 12.85 percent increase to the proposed tax rate" and that the increase was intended to fund capital transfers for the pavement management and gravel road maintenance plans.

A member of the public, Thom Thompson, said he owns a cabin in Rainbow Meadows and "receives no town services," questioning why his property should help finance town operations. Mayor Clayton Calloway and Town Manager Bret Howser clarified that properties outside town boundaries—such as Rainbow Meadows—are not subject to the town levy, and that concerns about overall tax bills should be directed to the school district and Iron County. After discussion of the town’s road funding gap and recent snow seasons, the council concluded the timing was inappropriate for a tax increase.

Council members noted the need to identify alternative funding to avoid deferred maintenance. Council Member Larry Freeberg urged staff to pursue other options, Council Member Martin Tidwell acknowledged the maintenance funding shortfall but said public support was lacking, and Council Member Logan Cruz recommended allowing one to two years to explore alternatives. Council Member Duane Nyen supported giving the public works director latitude to find less expensive approaches and reported a $40,000 contingency commitment to purchase road processing equipment.

The council’s consensus direction was recorded to remove the proposed property tax increase from the FY2027 budget. Staff said a revised budget removing both the property tax increase and the Transportation Utility Fee would be brought back for adoption on June 9.