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Washington Terrace proposes 6.7% property tax increase to cover sheriff contract shortfall
Summary
City Manager Tom Hanson proposed raising the property tax rate from 0.001590 to 0.0016997 to generate $98,100 to meet an increased charge from the Weber County Sheriff’s Office; council heard public comments and will decide on Aug. 18, 2026.
City Manager Tom Hanson presented a Truth-in-Taxation impact statement on Aug. 4 proposing a property tax rate increase from 0.001590 to 0.0016997 that would generate $98,100 for Washington Terrace’s police budget, which Hanson said reflects a higher contractual charge from the Weber County Sheriff’s Office. "Washington Terrace City will consider an increase to its property tax rate from 0.001590 to 0.0016997 to generate an additional $98,100," Hanson told the council during the presentation.
Hanson and council members framed the proposal as a revenue-neutral decision to preserve existing law-enforcement coverage rather than to expand it. Council Member Zunayid Z. Zishan said the city faces a shortfall and described the options examined: "we are $98K short," Zishan said, and council members noted creating a municipal police force would cost an estimated $3–5 million, while other providers quoted nearly double the current contract price. Hanson clarified the city would contribute to a pool for ten additional officers contracted by the Sheriff’s Office, and the officers would serve that pooled set of contract cities rather than only Washington Terrace.
The proposed rate change would increase the city’s property tax revenue from about $1,458,777 to $1,556,877, producing $98,100 in new revenue and an estimated 6.7% local rate increase. Officials gave examples of taxpayer impact: roughly $25.33 more annually for a primary residence assessed at $409,000 and about $46.05 for a business with the same valuation. Hanson said the increase is intended to fund contractual obligations in the police budget; the city has not taken a final vote on the budget.
Mayor Mark C. Allen opened the public hearing; staff also read two emailed comments into the record. Hanson said council would consider public input and take up the final budget at a special meeting scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. No final action was taken on Aug. 4.
The meeting minutes record a motion to adjourn by Council Member Zishan, seconded by Council Member Davidson, and approved unanimously (5–0) at 6:34 p.m.
