Utah League board adopts FY27 budget and approves 2.5% merit increase for executive director

The Utah League of Cities and Towns board unanimously adopted its fiscal year 2027 final budget on June 22 in Bountiful and approved a 2.5% merit increase for the executive director.

Staff told the board the final budget differs only slightly from the tentative budget presented in May. "We have unrestricted revenue reserve increased by 170,000 from 114,000," a staff presenter said, and reported a publications expense added at $56,000, a personnel-salaries line of $1,385,000 (a $5,000 increase from the tentative budget) and employee benefits at $638,000 (also up $5,000). Contract labor was adjusted downward to $165,000 to fund the modest staff and publication increases; staff said the change reflects timing of planned publication work that will be funded from reserves when it occurs in the new fiscal year.

Board members expressed support for staff and the League’s work during the discussion. Mayor Troy Walker moved adoption of the budget and the executive director’s merit increase; the motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

The board conducted a public hearing on the tentative budget before the vote and then took the final adoption action during the same meeting. Staff said public notice and informational handouts were available and that the board would consider any final edits tied to the contract and personnel approvals as part of implementing the budget.

The League will publish the adopted budget materials and follow up on implementation steps, including the personnel changes accounted for in the adopted FY27 plan.