Farmington council adopts 5% property tax impact schedule to boost fire budget; approves year-end amendments

Farmington’s City Council unanimously approved a resolution on June 16 to raise the city’s property tax impact schedule by 5%, moving the rate from 0.001506 to 0.001581 to produce an estimated $285,108 in additional revenue.

Finance Director Levi Ball said the increase, consistent with guidance in 2026 House Bill 236 (Truth in Taxation Amendments), would add about $32.72 annually to the tax bill on a $790,000 primary residence and about $59.49 on a $1,510,000 business. Ball also tied the additional revenue to the Fire Department’s budget, which he said would increase from $3,239,473 to $3,524,581 if the change is adopted.

Councilmember Scott Isaacson moved adoption of the resolution and Councilmember Melissa Layton seconded; all councilmembers voted in favor. Mayor Brett Anderson presided; Councilmember Amy Shumway was excused from the regular session.

At the same meeting the council approved a year-end amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 municipal budget, which Ball said was intended to cover unforeseen expenses, carryover items, and to reduce the risk of audit findings. Councilmember Roger Child moved the FY2026 amendment; Melissa Layton seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Ball previously told the council that new growth had come in higher than anticipated and that the city’s need had shifted from an originally planned $300,000 to about $285,000. He also reported that Farmington’s General Fund reserve was flagged in the annual audit for being at 35.06%—just over the 35% benchmark used in the audit commentary.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the property tax impact schedule, the FY2026 budget amendment, and later approved the interim FY2027 municipal budget and the RDA FY2027 budget during the same meeting; all votes were unanimous.

The City will present final budget figures at the upcoming August Truth in Taxation hearing, where further adjustments remain possible.