Wasatch County is considering a $130.83 all-funds tentative budget for 2027 with no property tax increases. That’s a slight decrease from what was approved this year: $131.8 million.  All funds include debt service funds, capital funds, internal service funds, special revenue funds and the ge neral fund.  The 2027 budget covers 24 county funds with approximately $106.64 million in revenue and $130.83 million in expenditures. The difference largely represents the planned use of resources previously reserved for one-time capital projects, including the administration building, according to budget documents.  The total budget was adjusted to meet increasing demands for Wasatch County services, like road maintenance. Assistant County Manager Heber Lefgren said the budget avoids Truth in Taxation and fee increases.  Some one-time funding for completed projects are omitted from the tentative budget as compared to this year’s adopted budget. Lowered IT and vehicle replacement costs also allow the county to avoid property tax increases. County officials said that the tentative budget relies primarily on conservative revenue forecasting tied to community growth rather than increased taxes or fees.  The breakdown of revenues and expenditures will be presented at the Nov. 18 Wasatch County Council meeting. “This budget represents staff’s interpretation of the council’s direction to be conservative in our approach,” Lefgren said. “As well as to be able to minimize the tax burden that’s placed on the residents, and we believe that this budget reflects that.” While property taxes won’t go up, the budget still supports public safety and event center improvements, road projects, technology investments and targeted staffing.  One proposed change is adding a position to the Wasatch County Attorney’s Office to help investigate code infractions. The investigator would “bridge the gap” by collecting any documentation for the Attorney’s Office to take action when necessary. Lefgren said the County Council indicated interest in creating the position after community feedback. “The guideline is that we want to encourage (code) compliance,” Lefgren said. “In those times where that is not an option or that is not happening, this position is intended to be able to help make sure that we are able to prosecute effectively.” County departments have requested nine full-time employees. Some requests include a new school resource officer, janitorial services for the new administration building and an artificial intelligence expert who would be added to staff. County staff would also receive a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment under the budget proposal, including a 2.5% pay-plan step increase and an anticipated 8% increase in health care premiums.  Projections show a general fund balance of $29 million remaining at the end of 2027, leaving a sizable safety net for expenses. Planning the new administration building has been at least five years in the making, starting with identifying specific needs.  “We hope, and we expect, that the building is going to be a good representation of the values that the county has, demonstrating our ability to connect with the past while also being able to just stand as an example of who we are as a community,” Lefgren said.  Wasatch County used a $43 million bond in the early part of this year, half of which was essentially to refund a prior bond — for Wasatch County courthouse upgrades — at a lower interest rate. The amount of the bond used for the administration building is about $22 million. The rest is paid in cash.  About 26% of the total budget is associated with one-time capital projects. Of the $75.64 million budgeted across nongeneral funds, 45% is for one-time capital projects. The breakdown is as follows:  $24.5 million for the final construction of the new administration building. $2.3 million for Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office facility improvements. $1.5 million for event-center improvements, road projects and scheduled vehicle and equipment replacements.  Each year, Wasatch County creates its tentative budget based on strategic priorities: fiscal conservation, future growth while minimizing tax burdens, providing balanced service levels, maintaining a productive workforce and preserving rural character and open space.  In September, Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau said priorities could be reconsidered to make room for a new option that returns new revenue to county residents through solutions like property tax cuts.  As Wasatch County grows, so does the county’s revenue stream including sales tax and transient room tax. That’s true with Deer Valley East Village. Grabau said the county has total control over where that revenue goes for projects like Deer Valley East Village.  The county estimates that revenue from Deer Valley East Village, indirect and direct, will be roughly $5.5 million in 2027. With conservative estimates, that number will likely jump to roughly $11 million in 2031.  The County Council will review the proposed budget on Wednesday. Staff will make necessary changes after that meeting and present the final budget on Dec. 2. There will also be a public hearing for residents then. Residents may also speak during the public comment section of the County Council meeting next week. “I’d love for the public to understand that their input is taken seriously,” Lefgren said. “If they can’t make it to the public hearing or if they want to make additional comments … they can also send us comments through our website on their views of the budget at any point in time.” 2027 Budget Document_Tentative BudgetDownload The post Wasatch County’s tentative 2027 budget avoids raising property taxes appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less