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Council hears plan to add $700,000 to park property reserve to secure Taylor Canyon parcel
Summary
Staff told the council a 1.19‑acre Taylor Canyon parcel is under contract at $8.42 per square foot (about $700,000); administration proposed moving $700,000 into the park property reserve so the city can close without delay, with final budget action scheduled for the next regular meeting.
City staff presented a budget amendment proposal on July 14 to move additional funds into South Ogden’s future park property reserve to enable an imminent purchase of a Taylor Canyon parcel intended as parkland.
Justin (administration) reviewed the reserve’s history: the council set aside $3 million in FY2023, and the city used portions to buy properties near 4th Street (examples cited: $955,000 at 625 Grant; about $300,000 at 497 Grant; roughly $400,000 at 253 4th Street; and $600,000 at 600 S. Lincoln). That leaves "just under $700,000" currently available in the reserve, staff said.
Jeremy Smith of Neighborhood Development told the council a recent survey refined the parcel to 1.19 acres of usable park and the negotiated purchase price in the city’s contract is $8.42 per square foot, which "lands you squarely at $700,000 for that property." Closing would proceed after council approves funding and subdivision recording.
Council members asked whether the city could cover the small shortfall by allocating a few thousand dollars now or preserve an additional check‑point. Staff said the administration proposed moving $700,000 from a council allocated "future projects" account into the park reserve so staff could act on time‑sensitive acquisition opportunities without delay; staff noted the net effect on the overall ledger is a departmental transfer rather than an increase in overall spending.
Monty Stewart (Parks) gave maintenance and improvement estimates for the site and said irrigation system condition and other unknowns (playground surfacing, minor sidewalk repairs, possible irrigation upgrades) will determine near‑term maintenance costs if the city takes ownership. Staff said detailed maintenance and improvement timing would be developed after acquisition.
No final budget vote was recorded during the work session; staff said the amendment will be placed on the August 4 agenda for formal council consideration.
