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Residents urge council to reduce proposed property tax increase; council weighs public safety needs
Summary
At a June 2 public hearing on the Interim Budget, dozens of residents urged Pleasant Grove City Council to avoid or lower a proposed property tax increase for FY 2026-27. Council members acknowledged affordability concerns but said funding for public-safety positions and rising operational costs need to be considered.
Finance Director Denise Roy reviewed the Interim Budget for fiscal year 2026–27, noting a required separation of the proposed property tax increase per recent legislative changes. The council held a public hearing June 2 during which multiple residents urged the council to reduce or reject the proposed increase, citing household affordability concerns and recent rises in utilities and other costs.
Public commenters included John Johannesmeyer, Jill Hazleton, Chris Walsh and others who said many residents are struggling and asked the council to identify cuts rather than raise property taxes. Several speakers referenced rising household costs and urged the council to reconsider a proposed 16.5% impact figure shown in the interim materials. Council members acknowledged the objections while stressing that public-safety staffing and other operational needs require funding; Council Member Steve Rogers said public safety positions must be funded and that new city growth does not automatically increase the city’s property-tax revenue under state rules. Council and staff discussed alternatives such as further budget cuts, interlocal service studies, or other structural changes but took no final tax-rate action at the meeting.
The budget calendar: a special meeting to adopt a proposed tax rate was scheduled for June 16, 2026; adoption of an interim budget could occur June 22, and the Truth in Taxation hearing would be on August 11, 2026. Finance Director Roy also read the Property Tax Impact Statement aloud as part of the hearing record.
