Brian Head council drops proposed $150,000 property tax increase after public hearing

The Brian Head Town Council voted by consensus on May 12 to remove a proposed $150,000 property tax increase from its Fiscal Year 2027 tentative budget, directing staff to return a budget without the levy increase.

Town Treasurer Shane Williamson told the council the tentative budget included a proposal for a $150,000 property tax increase — "representing an estimated 12.85 percent increase to the proposed tax rate" — intended to fund an annual transfer from the general fund to the capital fund for the pavement management plan and gravel road maintenance.

Why it matters: the proposed increase was intended to close a projected capital shortfall for road work, but council members and the mayor said the timing was poor after two difficult snow seasons and rising costs for residents and businesses. Mayor Clayton Calloway said he would "direct staff not to proceed with the proposed property tax increase." Council members emphasized the need to identify alternative funding to avoid repeating the same shortfall in future years.

During the public hearing, cabin owner Thom Thompson said he owns a cabin in Rainbow Meadows, receives no town services, and questioned the rationale for a town tax increase that he said would not benefit properties outside the town boundary. Town Manager Bret Howser clarified that the proposed town levy would apply only to properties inside Brian Head; properties located outside town boundaries such as Rainbow Meadows were not subject to the town's levy and any broader concerns about total tax bills should be addressed with the school district or Iron County.

Council members cited several budget pressures and short-term offsets: Council Member Duane Nyen said he committed $40,000 from contingency to buy road-processing equipment that can produce about 2.5 miles of subgrade material at lower cost, and staff noted that snow removal costs (including plow blades and salt) run approximately $100,000 annually and further strain capital funds. Town Manager Howser warned that planned paving this summer and next could exhaust accumulated capital road funds absent new revenue.

Next steps: the council directed staff to prepare a June 9 budget that omits the property tax increase. Council members said they want staff to pursue alternative funding options and to return with proposals before bringing any tax proposal back to voters or formal adoption.