The proposal would set council members’ annual salary at $20,152.43, with a $300 vehicle allowance. It set the mayor’s annual salary at $124,693.40, with a $6,000 vehicle allowance. Additionally, as a full-time employee, the mayor also has access to employee benefits.

While the vehicle allowances remained the same, the proposal would constitute a $1,039 raise for council members and $2,599 for the mayor from last year.

Financial Director Richard Anderson said the city is considering a 4% Pay for Performance raise for city employees, particularly focusing on employee positions lower on the pay scale.

“We believe it is the right thing to do this year, but it does pose a concern if you are pushing salaries or funding to the bottom, we can have some issues at the management level, but we will deal with those as we go,” Anderson said.

Parks and Recreation, the Fire Department and Community Development also presented to the council during the May 13 meeting.

On Tuesday, the council heard from Light and Power, Police, Environmental and Public Works, with discussions centering on infrastructure needs, staffing challenges and long-term financial planning for capital projects.

The Light & Power Department requested $4 million from city reserves to replace two aging transformers at the Green Canyon substation, a critical piece of infrastructure that connects the city to Rocky Mountain Power’s electrical grid.

Mark Montgomery, the department head, told council members the 40-year-old transformers have a five-year manufacturing lead time, requiring immediate action despite their current good condition based on oil testing.

“These transformers take five years to build, so we got to get in line now,” he said, noting each transformer costs approximately $2 million.

The department’s total budget remains relatively flat at $52 million, with $31.6 million allocated for power purchases and $2 million for natural gas to operate turbines.

Police Chief Jeff Simmons presented a $10.5 million budget for the police department, while highlighting ongoing challenges retaining officers due to competitive wages offered by other agencies.

“When we compete against the state or Ogden or Brigham City, we lose,” the chief said, noting the department tries to retain staff through workplace culture and employee care.

The police department handled 22,380 calls for service in 2024 and reported approximately 2,400 criminal offenses. Traffic accidents decreased by about 200 incidents, which Simmons attributed to increased traffic enforcement.

Public Works, which employs 87 full-time workers across eight divisions, completed approximately $30 million of capital projects in fiscal year 2025.

The department outlined several major upcoming projects, including an approximately $10 million intersection improvement at 1000 N and 600 W that includes railroad components.

The department received a $3.2 million grant from Cache County Council of Governments for the intersection project, with construction planned for next summer.

Other planned projects include Canyon Road water line and streetscape improvements, and continued work on a new Public Works facility with final budget details expected within 12 months.

The budget proposals also include adjustments to electrical rates and a new tiered water rate system for high residential users.

The council will hold a public hearing and consider tentative budget adoption on June 17, including discussions of a proposed 3% property tax increase for library and general fund operations.

A Truth in Taxation hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 7, where residents can provide input on the property tax increase.

Council members also identified improving citywide communication as a strategic priority, with plans to explore options for better coordinating information sharing with residents.

The city’s fiscal year begins July 1.

Parts of this story were formatted using claude.ai, an artificial intelligence tool, and subsequently edited and fact checked by staff writer Amanda Goddard.