River Heights Council adopts interim FY2027 budget and begins Truth in Taxation process

River Heights City Council on June 16 adopted an interim budget for fiscal year 2026–27 and voted to begin the Truth in Taxation process by adopting a proposed property tax rate of 0.000849, a levy the resolution lists as $201,255.

Mayor Blake Wright read the budget message and the Property Tax Impact Schedule, saying the proposed $85,101 increase in property-tax revenue would be used for ongoing costs in parks, roads and administration rather than one-time purchases. “The increase also covers increased wages and benefits,” the schedule states. The council adopted Resolution 7-2026 to make the interim budget effective July 1, 2026, and Resolution 6-2026 to set the proposed levy; both votes passed with Councilmembers Kandi Evans, Mark Malmstrom, Chris Milbank and Lance Pitcher in favor.

The council also approved Resolution 8-2026 to amend the 2025–26 general budget. Treasurer Michelle Jensen told the council the FY2026 adjustments were needed because actual expenses exceeded budgeted amounts in multiple departments, including a $20,000 increase in administration, $15,000 for roads, a $25,000 increase in sanitation offset by user revenue, and a $150,000 transfer from the General Fund to Capital Projects to remain below the 35% fund-balance cap.

Residents who spoke during two public hearings asked questions about timing, reserves and policy choices. Lance Mortenson asked when a potential tax increase would take effect; the council told him revenue timing would likely mean payment in November and municipal receipt in March. Noel Cooley pressed why a recent water-rate study recommending a dramatic increase was not reflected in the tentative budget; Mayor Wright replied the council was not prepared to adopt the steep increase recommended and would pursue a smaller change later. Shelia Lind, the city recorder, and Treasurer Jensen provided figures for the city’s cash position: slightly over $314,000 in checking and roughly $2,455,000 in PTIF, including enterprise funds.

Members of the public questioned personnel costs and benefits. Craig Bailey said administrative costs were high, questioned the return on parks spending and objected to a $2,000 employee dinner, saying, “I don't like the taxpayers having to pay for that.” Several residents also questioned the decision to join the Utah Retirement System; Mayor Wright and Councilmember Chris Milbank described the move as necessary to retain full‑time staff and explained the city’s increased employer contribution under URS.

The council addressed a recurring local debate over Stewart Hill Park: residents Robert (“Rob”) Stewart and others urged preserving part of the site as a cemetery, while council members noted prior public processes had shifted community preference toward a park. Mayor Wright and Councilmember Milbank emphasized the city must spend certain RAPZ funds on the pavilion or risk losing $50,000, and said the north side pavilion work would proceed while preserving the south side for possible future cemetery use.

The meeting concluded with several other formal actions: the council re-adopted amendments to the sign ordinance after removing a time limit on election signage at the city attorney’s suggestion, and approved an interlocal agreement with Cache County to continue sheriff-provided municipal policing services; the contract increases the hourly and annual costs and runs three years with renewal options.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the minutes and revised agenda (motion by Councilmember Lance Pitcher, seconded by Kandi Evans); approved Resolution 8-2026 amending the FY2026 budget (motion by Chris Milbank); adopted Resolution 7-2026 adopting the interim FY2027 budget (motion by Chris Milbank); adopted Resolution 6-2026 proposing the property tax levy (motion by Lance Pitcher); adopted Ordinance 5-2026 to revise the sign ordinance (motion by Lance Pitcher); and adopted an interlocal agreement with Cache County for law enforcement services (motion by Mark Malmstrom). All counted motions passed with Councilmembers Evans, Malmstrom, Milbank and Pitcher recorded in favor.

The council postponed filling a council vacancy until its July 7 meeting after the mayor reported a recent legislative change requiring the city to adopt a resolution or ordinance specifying the vacancy‑fill process. The meeting adjourned at about 8:45 p.m.