City Council Meeting - May 27, 2025

Meeting Summary

The May 27, 2025 City Council meeting centered on two significant financial actions: adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 city budget and approval of the McLachlan Well construction agreement. Following a public hearing, the Council voted to approve a total budget of approximately $286.4 million — down $68 million from the prior year's $354.4 million — with a balanced General Fund of $64.7 million. Sales tax revenue is projected at $26.1 million for the fiscal year. The budget funds three new police officers, bringing the police department budget to $15.35 million; three new parks employees to staff Lakeview Park and Holbrook Parks I and II upon opening; and two new administrative positions including a code enforcement officer and an internal auditor. Councilwoman Michelle Stallings cast the sole dissenting vote on the budget. The approved budget includes utility rate adjustments that will affect Lehi households directly: sewer rates will increase 15% due to rising treatment costs, pressurized irrigation rates will rise 5% per state mandate, storm drain fees will increase $0.25 per month, and garbage fees will increase $1.00 per month. Culinary water rates remain unchanged. Funding for the city's winter ice rink was deferred to a future budget year. The Council also approved the McLachlan Well construction agreement (Resolution #2025-27) with FX Construction, a water infrastructure project intended to supplement Lehi's culinary water supply as demand from the city's rapid population growth strains existing capacity. The Local Building Authority met concurrently to adopt its own FY 2026 budget. The Council was scheduled to formally set the certified tax rate at the subsequent June 10 meeting.