Finance director outlines FY2026-27 tentative budget, urges Truth-in-Taxation outreach
April 21, 2026 | Washington Terrace, Weber County, Utah
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Finance Director Shari' Garrett presented the foundation for the FY2026-27 tentative budget and the city's 2028 31 plan during a work session on April 21, saying the city will run a more rigorous Truth-in-Taxation process this year and will hold a public information meeting with Q&A in July. Garrett said property valuation notices will be mailed in July and that the city will use social media, the city website and podcasts to inform residents.
Garrett said the city likely still needs a Truth-in-Taxation process even with a lower Sheriff contract amount to preserve fiscal sustainability, arguing that forgoing a T-n-T this year would compound the issue next year. She reported the city's sales-tax growth is essentially flat (under 1%) and that economic assumptions from 2025 remain similar, with staff monitoring inflation, gas prices and geopolitical events and adjusting projections as needed.
She outlined revenue opportunities and risks: local grant prospects looked strong while federal grant outlooks remain uncertain, the city could receive new ongoing revenue from taking on the Ogden Valley Court, and Southeast RDA investments are expected to show in 2027. Garrett said contingency reserves are adequate but are planned to decline over the five-year plan by design to fund targeted investments in streets, parks and fire equipment while keeping reserve balances in an acceptable range.
Garrett also presented a SWOT analysis that identified financial planning and grant maximization as strengths, and low local growth and rising levels-of-service costs as challenges. She told council that many vendor contracts include automatic cost increases beyond local control and urged caution when increasing service levels because they raise ongoing costs.
The tentative budget will be presented to the full council at the first May meeting; Garrett repeated that Truth-in-Taxation outreach will follow the revised statutory schedule. Mayor Mark C. Allen and council members asked clarifying questions during the presentation but did not take formal action at the session.
The council will review the tentative budget at the May meeting; a public information session with Q&A on Truth-in-Taxation is planned for July.
Garrett said the city likely still needs a Truth-in-Taxation process even with a lower Sheriff contract amount to preserve fiscal sustainability, arguing that forgoing a T-n-T this year would compound the issue next year. She reported the city's sales-tax growth is essentially flat (under 1%) and that economic assumptions from 2025 remain similar, with staff monitoring inflation, gas prices and geopolitical events and adjusting projections as needed.
She outlined revenue opportunities and risks: local grant prospects looked strong while federal grant outlooks remain uncertain, the city could receive new ongoing revenue from taking on the Ogden Valley Court, and Southeast RDA investments are expected to show in 2027. Garrett said contingency reserves are adequate but are planned to decline over the five-year plan by design to fund targeted investments in streets, parks and fire equipment while keeping reserve balances in an acceptable range.
Garrett also presented a SWOT analysis that identified financial planning and grant maximization as strengths, and low local growth and rising levels-of-service costs as challenges. She told council that many vendor contracts include automatic cost increases beyond local control and urged caution when increasing service levels because they raise ongoing costs.
The tentative budget will be presented to the full council at the first May meeting; Garrett repeated that Truth-in-Taxation outreach will follow the revised statutory schedule. Mayor Mark C. Allen and council members asked clarifying questions during the presentation but did not take formal action at the session.
The council will review the tentative budget at the May meeting; a public information session with Q&A on Truth-in-Taxation is planned for July.
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