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Ogden council reviews final tax rate, asks staff to clarify recusal rules and off‑duty police program
Summary
At a June 16 work session the Ogden City Council reviewed the final certified tax rate for the FY2026–27 budget, raised transparency questions about potential recusals related to the Ogden Giving Circle and asked for details about a new off‑duty police hiring system and cultural services staffing changes.
The Ogden City Council on June 16 conducted a final review of the FY2026–27 budget packet after staff confirmed the certified tax rate had arrived.
Mr. SS, who led the budget briefing, flagged Schedule A1 adjustments totaling about $6.5 million and said the certified tax rate would be incorporated into the packet for the evening meeting. Council members used the work session to raise procedural and policy questions they want answered before formal votes.
One council member asked whether membership overlaps between council members and the Ogden Giving Circle require members to recuse themselves from votes on related arts grants. Administration said disclosure is expected and that recusal remains a personal decision, adding staff would ask the city attorney (Gary or Ann Marie) to advise prior to the next meeting. “I would appreciate that,” the council member said when the city agreed to follow up.
Councilors also pressed staff about a recently launched online "hire an off‑duty Ogden police officer" service, which the transcript shows went live May 4, 2026. Staff explained the vendor‑based service arranges payments to officers and that municipal uses (for example, security at the municipal building) are charged to a non‑enterprise departmental security budget. Staff directed operational and welfare questions about officer workload and oversight to Chief Subie.
Separately, several council members pressed about personnel changes in cultural services. The proposed budget shows a net reduction of three positions across funds and a mayoral plan that eliminates 10 positions while adding seven. Council members asked whether three positions slated for removal in cultural services could be retained or transferred to Union Station to improve continuity; administration said staffing documents may be reopened during the fiscal year and that they would evaluate options but could not make immediate changes at the work session.
Administration noted the city’s employee turnover rate is approximately 14 percent, above a commonly cited healthy rate below 10 percent, and that some part‑time arts positions pay $16–$20 per hour, which can hinder retention.
Council members asked staff to bring legal guidance about recusal and to provide more detail on how the off‑duty officer program’s revenues and controls are reflected in the police budget before the formal meeting.
The work session concluded with staff taking several follow‑up requests and the council moving to adjourn and reconvene for the evening meeting.
