In their acceptance of a tentative $87 million budget Tuesday, Heber City councilors voiced their preference for modest spending and community feedback. In short, no firm tax increases, plenty of time for public input, but also fewer monetary incentives for employees.

This is the city’s second tentative budget discussion. In the initial presentation, Heber City Manager Matt Brower warned councilors of an uncertain economic outlook. With a possible recession looming, Brower advised more conservative spending measures and re-examining the city’s efficiency.

Councilors considered two truth-in-taxation scenarios Tuesday — one that covers the addition of a new, fully benefited police officer and another that accounts for inflationary costs — and all voiced their distaste for tax increases.  

“I personally have no appetite for doing any kind of property tax increase,” Councilor Yvonne Barney said. 

Councilor Mike Johnston supported Barney’s statement, saying he prefers to avoid property tax increases if possible.

“I’m not keen on a truth-in-taxation. I’m not sure we need it,” Johnston said. 

Heber City’s property tax increases in recent years have remained fairly steady with fiscal years 2025 and 2024 seeing property tax increases of 9.38% and 8.06%. The most significant property tax increase in the past 10 years happened in fiscal year 2015 with a 32.39% increase. 

There will, however, be a slight business license fee increase of just under 3%. Councilors agreed that the slight raise would account for inflation. Mayor Heidi Franco said that, currently, there is hardly any revenue from business licensing fees. 

“It’s not like a business license is generating revenue for us. No, it’s costing us in salaries to administer and make sure that the licenses are done right and that, you know, things are taken care of,” Franco said. 

When it comes to benefits, councilors did not favor starting a safety incentive program for public works employees. 

The safety plan as proposed would provide a $1,000 incentive to employees annually, amounting to a total of more than $70,000. If an employee is found at fault for an accident, they could lose either half or all of that $1,000 incentive. 

“The notion is pay for performance,” Brower said. 

Barney and Councilor Mike Johnston voiced their hesitation for adopting the safety incentive program. While Barney argued that the incentive could be halved initially for $500 up front, Johnston is of the opinion that an improved safety culture is created differently.

“I would be very happy to take $76,000 and put it into safety programs, but not pay bonuses for not getting into an accident,” Johnston said. “I think we could put that money into something that actually creates a culture of safety.”

In accepting the tentative budget, Barney also voiced her disapproval of including $250,000 for hiring a consultant who would draw up plans for a new park, funded by the Trails, Arts and Parks (TAP) Tax. That move, according to Barney, is premature.

“This is a park that is shared by our citizens. In fact, it is the citizens’ park,” Barney said, adding that she would prefer to receive more public input. “I would think that it’s important that we add a survey.”

Brower, however, said that the consultant would operate only after receiving input from the council and community.

“The notion is that once you went through this process, you would have a set of drawings that you could put up to bid and those drawings would contain, hopefully, the hopes and dreams of your constituents and then you would put that up to bid and build and bring about that vision,” Brower said. 

Heber City’s tentative budget is up for public review on the city website. A public hearing is scheduled before the council adopts the budget on June 3.

In Midway and Hideout, budget talks are also underway. Midway’s tentative budget is scheduled to be adopted on May 20, following a public hearing. 

Hideout’s budget discussion Thursday indicated that there would be no property tax increases in the area. Formal adoption of the budget will take place on June 12. 

The new fiscal year begins July 1.