OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Draper City Council Budget and Facilities Study Session – February 10, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, February 10, 2026
BodyDraper, Utah
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, February 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:54:15

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

What it's been doing, where we're at revenue versus expense, so you know what the deficit is because we have one, um, and then our priorities for how we're gonna is a lot of that deficit because of the property tax thing that we got screwed on last a million dollars of it is, but yeah, a good about almost half of it probably the total deficit looks like it's all exploit too.

0:22

Depends we it just depends on how it and how you calculate it.

0:26

Well, no, it depends on where the sales tax is.

0:28

Apparently, so in my 18 years of doing it, it's never been I've never seen it year over year down like it was the year before and then this year, but but all I'm saying is John has a lot of information, but I just want to get to the most important information, which and I let them ask questions, John.

0:46

But we're thinking what's the revenues, go over the sales tax issues, and then let's get to what our budget deficit is and how we might close the gap.

0:55

Okay, so that'd be item number one.

0:58

Then we'll go to facilities, talk about public works building potential site where we think fire department needs um, and then we need to talk about this constant town center pressure about our 10 acres and have a good discussion about where you all are at with the town center, so we can be public and clear.

1:18

If the if the issue is you want to do a town center, then after you hear the budget discussion, I won't know how.

1:23

But if you do, then we can move.

1:25

If not, let's make it clear that we're sitting on that land until we are 100% ready to do something, and we don't even know what it is yet.

1:33

Okay, go ahead, John.

1:35

Give us the revenues and the sales tax numbers.

1:38

All right.

1:38

Um, so I have lots of slides.

1:41

Really, I think Mike, I would say what do you want to know?

1:46

What do you want to see?

1:47

So let's have property tax to start with.

1:50

Um, this is just a projection of where property tax.

1:52

Well, it's not a projection, this is actual the where property tax has been.

1:57

So you can see property tax is meant to be steady.

2:00

Um, it remains the same unless we do a truth and taxation hearing.

2:05

So you can see 2025, there's a jump.

2:08

Um, 2026, the that decreases because the bond falls off.

2:13

We did not pass that to be able to stay flat.

2:17

So then next year we project basically a flat budget again.

2:22

Um can we recover that 900 grand that we lost this last year?

2:27

We can do another truth and tax.

2:29

Yes, we can go through truth and taxation to be able to do that.

2:32

Yes.

2:33

Well, depending on what the legislature but this projection does show that new correct.

2:37

Uh this projection just shows if we remain the same, what would it look like?

2:43

So without any property tax increase.

2:46

Catherine, for your benefit, the truth in taxation we did in 26 was only to the amount of money everyone was already paying on the bond we bought all the open space with.

2:56

So it wasn't like it was a new tax increase because it could have gone away like you did, but it wasn't you weren't gonna feel it because you're already paying it.

3:03

Now you got to not pay it.

3:05

I was in the truth and tax interest.

3:07

I remember yeah.

3:08

So this is just a historical look at property tax rates across the the Salt Lake uh County.

3:16

Um you can see that it always is a general downward trend.

3:20

Um the upward bumps are when uh individual entities do uh property tax increases, so you can kind of follow that trend.

3:30

Draper is the blue line at the very bottom of the page, second from the bottom there.

3:37

We have the low second lowest.

3:39

So Buffdale is the lowest.

3:41

Uh we are second lowest.

3:43

But we have a fire department, they don't.

3:45

So we have our sandy is they don't.

3:49

Okay, correct.

3:51

They rent one.

3:54

Oh, and the school districts are high.

3:56

So school districts are your top five if I if I counted right.

4:03

Um when we now Harriman, look at Harriman's, and the reason Harriman is like it is, is Harriman.

4:16

Well, in and I think the way Riverton does it too.

4:18

Maravin and Riverton.

4:20

So, in order, in instead of having a blended in property tax that pays for all the bills, they're they'll tell you we have a really low property tax, but we have these special districts that cover public safety, a fire one and a police one, and those are of course above.

4:36

When you add it all together, they have higher property tax than we all do, but they make you feel better about it by telling you X amounts in public safety and the other parts around the rest of the city.

4:47

I was interested in talking to you about going that direction.

4:51

Um, primarily because I think the public, our biggest increases are typically in public safety, both personnel and equipment.

5:00

I think the public appreciates good public safety, at least it seems like our citizens do.

5:05

If we were to separate it out, we could get to a point where public safety was carrying itself with its own levies.

5:13

But that would be a big increase to get there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works██████████████14%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████13%
Fiscal Sustainability████████████12%
Public Safety████████8%
Land Use Regulation███████7%
Historic Preservation███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Community Engagement██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Draper City Council Study Session – February 10, 2026

The council held a comprehensive study session covering the city's budget deficit, long-term revenue strategies, facility needs for public works and fire, the future of the town center land, and several enterprise funds. The session was characterized by detailed presentations from city staff and extensive discussion among council members on how to address financial pressures while maintaining service levels.

Discussion Items

  • Budget Deficit & Revenue Outlook: Finance Director John presented the general fund budget. The current fiscal year shows a projected deficit of approximately $1.4 million after drawing from fund balance. Without the $900,000 property tax loss from the previous year, the deficit would have been only $400,000. Sales tax revenues remain volatile but have been healthy, with a recent month hitting $2.1 million. The city's property tax rate is the second lowest in Salt Lake County. Council debated moving to a public safety service district model (separate property tax levies for police and fire) versus an annual small truth-in-taxation increase. Consensus was to not pursue the service district model now and instead consider annual incremental increases similar to Salt Lake City's approach.
  • Point of the Mountain Development: The council discussed the Point project's impact on city revenues. The state retains 98% of property tax for the first 10 years, but Draper will receive its full share of sales tax generated. The first phase includes 50,000 sq ft of retail and a 300-unit apartment complex, with groundbreaking expected late spring 2026. Some members expressed concern about funding services for the Point without immediate property tax revenue; the mayor indicated he is working with the legislature on an appropriation to cover service costs.
  • Transportation Utility Fee (TUF): A potential new fee based on trip generation to fund road maintenance was discussed. The fee would be levied on commercial properties and collected via utility bills. The council expressed interest in studying TUF, noting that it could generate an estimated $500,000 annually. The concept is still being considered at the state level.
  • Public Works Building: The council identified the public works building as the top facility priority. Staff have issued an RFP for a needs assessment. Options include splitting services between a new sprung structure near Galena Park and the existing public works yard. The council supported using a sprung building and indicated a preference to minimize use of park fields.
  • Fire Department Needs: Fire Chief Clinton outlined needs for training space, administrative offices, and equipment storage. Current stations lack capacity. Options discussed include a lease-to-own of the existing logistics building (Ryan Button building), adding a sprung building on city-owned land near City Hall, or constructing a new station on the west side. No decision was made, but a future tour of sprung structures and further analysis were scheduled.
  • Town Center Land (10 Acres): The council reached consensus that the land at Pioneer Park is not available for development in the near term. The land was purchased for $7.6 million and is considered prime future civic space. The council will communicate to interested parties (e.g., Gary Free museum, tennis center) that no land deals are being considered. Members emphasized preserving the land for future community needs such as open space or a civic center.
  • Solid Waste Enterprise Fund: The solid waste fund is losing money – projected to lose about $1 million again this year after a similar loss last year. Rates have not been increased since the service began. The fund balance of $4.2 million will be depleted within three years. The council directed staff to prepare proposals for rate increases (potentially from $15/month to $37) and analyze privatization options. A rate increase this year is considered necessary.
  • Water Fund: The water fund is in better shape due to recent rate increases and a $2 million federal grant for the Suncrest redundant water line. However, potential state legislation (HB 501) could force significant future rate increases to fund infrastructure upgrades. The council discussed the need for continued rate adjustments to stay ahead of costs.
  • Council-Staff Interaction Policy: The mayor raised concerns that citizen committees have been directing staff, which violates policy. The council agreed that only the city manager can direct staff, and committee meetings should have only one staff liaison. They discussed revising committee scopes, particularly the Tree Committee (which has sought to engage multiple staff). The council also supported splitting the Parks & Trails Committee into a Parks & Trees Committee and a Trails & Open Space Committee. Staff will prepare a proposal for the next study session.
  • Historical Society & Arts Council: The council acknowledged the need to clarify the relationship between the city and the Draper Historical Society (a domestic nonprofit) and the Draper Arts Council. Issues include the use of city facilities and funding flows. A study session will be scheduled to define roles and responsibilities. There was interest in potentially merging the historical society with the Historic Preservation Commission.
  • Farmers Market: After discussion, the council decided to keep the farmers market at the Smithfield's location for the 2026 season (July–September) with improved signage, rather than moving to the baseball fields on Tuesday nights. The market will not extend into October.
  • Rodeo & Draper Days: The council approved a new ticketing structure for the rodeo: general admission $15, premium first three rows $21. The budget savings from changing bands and the drone show will be used to raise the stage to prevent flooding. The food vendor layout has been revised and was praised by vendors.
  • Short-Term Rentals: Staff are drafting an ordinance to regulate (or possibly ban) short-term rentals. The ordinance is expected to be presented in March 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Budget Strategy: Council decided not to pursue public safety service districts and instead will consider annual small truth-in-taxation hearings to incrementally increase property tax revenue.
  • Public Works Priority: Public works building is the top capital priority. Staff will report back on needs assessment and sprung building options.
  • Town Center Land: No immediate development; land is preserved for future use. The mayor will inform stakeholders.
  • Solid Waste: Staff will bring back rate increase proposals and privatization analysis. A rate increase is expected in fiscal year 2026.
  • Committee Changes: Staff will prepare a proposal to split Parks & Trails into Parks & Trees and Trails & Open Space committees. Committee scopes will be reviewed in a future study session.
  • Rodeo Pricing: Approved $15 general admission and $21 premium seats.
  • Farmers Market: To remain at Smithfield's for 2026 with enhanced signage.
  • Short-Term Rentals: Ordinance draft expected in March 2026.

No formal votes were taken, but consensus was reached on all items above.

Meeting Transcript

What it's been doing, where we're at revenue versus expense, so you know what the deficit is because we have one, um, and then our priorities for how we're gonna is a lot of that deficit because of the property tax thing that we got screwed on last a million dollars of it is, but yeah, a good about almost half of it probably the total deficit looks like it's all exploit too. Depends we it just depends on how it and how you calculate it. Well, no, it depends on where the sales tax is. Apparently, so in my 18 years of doing it, it's never been I've never seen it year over year down like it was the year before and then this year, but but all I'm saying is John has a lot of information, but I just want to get to the most important information, which and I let them ask questions, John. But we're thinking what's the revenues, go over the sales tax issues, and then let's get to what our budget deficit is and how we might close the gap. Okay, so that'd be item number one. Then we'll go to facilities, talk about public works building potential site where we think fire department needs um, and then we need to talk about this constant town center pressure about our 10 acres and have a good discussion about where you all are at with the town center, so we can be public and clear. If the if the issue is you want to do a town center, then after you hear the budget discussion, I won't know how. But if you do, then we can move. If not, let's make it clear that we're sitting on that land until we are 100% ready to do something, and we don't even know what it is yet. Okay, go ahead, John. Give us the revenues and the sales tax numbers. All right. Um, so I have lots of slides. Really, I think Mike, I would say what do you want to know? What do you want to see? So let's have property tax to start with. Um, this is just a projection of where property tax. Well, it's not a projection, this is actual the where property tax has been. So you can see property tax is meant to be steady. Um, it remains the same unless we do a truth and taxation hearing. So you can see 2025, there's a jump. Um, 2026, the that decreases because the bond falls off. We did not pass that to be able to stay flat. So then next year we project basically a flat budget again. Um can we recover that 900 grand that we lost this last year? We can do another truth and tax. Yes, we can go through truth and taxation to be able to do that. Yes. Well, depending on what the legislature but this projection does show that new correct. Uh this projection just shows if we remain the same, what would it look like? So without any property tax increase. Catherine, for your benefit, the truth in taxation we did in 26 was only to the amount of money everyone was already paying on the bond we bought all the open space with. So it wasn't like it was a new tax increase because it could have gone away like you did, but it wasn't you weren't gonna feel it because you're already paying it. Now you got to not pay it. I was in the truth and tax interest. I remember yeah. So this is just a historical look at property tax rates across the the Salt Lake uh County. Um you can see that it always is a general downward trend. Um the upward bumps are when uh individual entities do uh property tax increases, so you can kind of follow that trend. Draper is the blue line at the very bottom of the page, second from the bottom there. We have the low second lowest. So Buffdale is the lowest. Uh we are second lowest. But we have a fire department, they don't. So we have our sandy is they don't. Okay, correct. They rent one. Oh, and the school districts are high. So school districts are your top five if I if I counted right.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com