City Council Agendas & Minutes

Minutes City Council Meeting Fruit Heights City 910 South Mountain Road August 11, 2020 REGULAR MEETING: City Council Meeting began at 7:00 PM WELCOME: Mayor pro tempore Julia Busche called the meeting to order PLEDGE & OPENING CEREMONY: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by Council Member Diane Anderson and the meeting was opened with Council Member Jeanne Groberg offering a word of prayer. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor pro tempore Julia Busche, Council Members Diane Anderson, Julia Busche, Jeanne Groberg, and Eileen Moss were present. Mayor John Pohlman arrived at the meeting after it began. Council Member Gary Anderson was excused. CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Brandon Green, City Planner Jeff Oyler, and City Public Works Superintendent Darren Frandsen were present. DECLEATION OF CONFLICTS: No conflict of interests noted. VISTORS: Fred Bergold, Byron Conrad, Jim Crismer, Todd Farnsworth, Gary Fox, Jon Groberg Gary Larson, Jim Lamb, Greg Lazalier, Scott Nielson, Justin Wright, Matt Wheeler PUBLIC HEARING: City Council will hear public comments related to a proposed tax increase for the 2020–2021 Fiscal Year. The Public Hearing was opened with City Manager presenting to the City Council and those in attendance at the meeting the proposed tax increase. Mr. Green remined that City Council that a decision on this matter did not need to be made at the meeting tonight. The purpose for the meeting was to receive public input from the residents on the proposed tax increase prior to an official decision being made on August 18, 2020. Mr. Green presented to the City Council and those in attendance some documents and a short video addressing property tax. Property Tax is a revenue source for Cities, along with Sales and Use Tax. 55% of a home’s assessed value is subject to property tax. On businesses and second homes, 100% of their assessed value is subject to taxation. Mr. Green discussed how property taxes are divided within Davis County. Approximately 60% Davis School District with the remaining 40% being divided up among Davis County, Fruit Heights City, and other service districts. Taxes collected for Fruit Heights City are allocated into the following funds. • Public Safety (Police & Fire)  Minutes City Council Meeting Fruit Heights City 910 South Mountain Road August 11, 2020 • Roads (Road Maintenance, Street Lights, Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk) • Storm Water • Parks & Trails In addition to these funds, the City also maintains enterprise funds which include water, sewer, and solid waste. These funds operate and are funded through user fees that are collected through monthly utility bills. Tax Rates are determined by the Davis County Assessor. This rate is based on the previous years tax rate plus any new growth from the previous year. Mr. Green when on to explain that the City has also complied with the State of Utah’s requirements to notice and publish the City’s proposal to increase the tax rate or hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing. This notice was published in the Ogden Standard Examiner. Based on the Davis County Assessors evaluation of an average priced home in Fruit Heights, property tax will increase $34.92 per year increase or a 7.23% increase above last years certified tax rate. After some explanation to the City Council and residents in attendance at the meeting about the tax rate, Mr. Green turned the balance of the meeting over to those in attendance for questions and comments. City Council Member Julia Busche made a motion to enter into a public hearing to receive public comment regarding the proposed tax rate increase. The motion was seconded by Council Member Jeanne Groberg, the motion was unanimous. Comments and questions were received from residents Greg Lazalier, Gary Larson, Gary Fox, Fred Bergold, Justin Wright, Todd Farnsworth, Jim Lamb. After allowing time for public comment, the Mayor and City Council discussed with those in attendance the City’s long term plans for Roads and Infrastructure and the need for a tax increase. Residents were reminded that material and labor costs have continued to increase over the last 5 years and that they will continue to increase as we plan for the future. Additionally, the City has several road and infrastructure projects that will need to be completed, especially with changes occurring along the Hwy-89 corridor. The Council assured residents that this increase wasn’t being requested for unwise spending but was being requested for future needs and capital expenditures according the City’s 5 and 10 year plan. City Manager Green agreed with the Council and emphasize the importance of planning for the future and future city needs. The City has a history of saving for big projects without borrowing  Minutes City Council Meeting Fruit Heights City 910 South Mountain Road August 11, 2020 and bonding and it is the City’s plan to continue operating under those guidelines. Part of being responsible in spending requires that the City also review and consider revenue sources and increase property taxes as necessary, but only after careful consideration. Following some discussion among the City Council, City Staff, and Residents in attendance, City Council Member Jeanne Groberg made a motion to close the public hearing, City Council Member Diane Anderson seconded the motion, there was no further discussion on the motion. The motion was unanimous. The City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true, accurate and complete record of the Fruit Heights City Council Meeting held August 11, 2020 Not approved until signed /S/ R. Brandon Green R. Brandon Green, City Manager