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Willard City Council adopts FY 2026–27 budgets amid scrutiny of police spending
Summary
The Willard City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026–27 operating and capital budgets, approving Resolution No. 2026-08 after debate over multi-year police budget increases; the motion passed on a 4-0 roll call.
The Willard City Council voted unanimously to adopt the city's FY 2026–27 operating and capital budgets under Resolution No. 2026-08. Mayor Travis Mote led discussion expressing concern that the police budget had risen far faster than the city's population growth and inflation over recent years, citing year-over-year increases of approximately 19%, 16%, 13.9%, 25% and a proposed 9% in the current year.
Police Chief Theron Fielding said the increases were driven primarily by salary adjustments to remain competitive and noted that vehicle replacements were not budgeted this year; he also mentioned grant opportunities that could cover 75% of wages for new officers in their first two years. After discussion and a motion by Councilmember Jacob Bodily (seconded by Councilmember Rex Christensen), the Council approved the budget on a 4-0 roll call vote (Hulsey, Christensen, Braegger, Bodily voting yes).
