South Weber Council approves intended property tax rate, sets truth-in-taxation hearing

The South Weber City Council voted June 9 to publish an intended certified property tax rate and to move forward with the community truth-in-taxation process.

The council approved Resolution 26-20 to publish an intended property tax rate of 0.001434; the motion was moved by the mayor and carried on a roll call vote. City staff said final percent changes will be determined once the county issues its certified rate, but based on preliminary numbers the published percent increase would be less than 2%.

Council Member Dills pressed for clarity about Resolution 2614, which appeared on the consent agenda with language reading “intent to increase property tax revenue.” Dills said the minutes should reflect that the council’s action was to set a hearing for public comment, not to make a final decision on raising taxes. “Your vote was intended to set the hearing and then to hold that hearing, not to make the final decision,” Dills said.

City staff responded that recent changes to truth-in-taxation procedures require specific statutory wording when publishing an intended rate, but that the minutes can and should record members’ stated intent that the hearing is to gather public comment before any final decision.

The council also approved a motion on the consent agenda to set a public hearing for Aug. 11 on Resolution 2614; the minutes will be updated to reflect members’ clarifications about intent and statutory language.

Next steps: the city will publish the intended rate and hold the truth-in-taxation hearing in August, after which council members may vote on a final certified rate.