Lehi City Council Meeting - January 27, 2026

The Lehi City Council met on January 27, 2026, to discuss the annual audit report, citizen survey results, police department staffing, city committee assignments, and the 1900 South / Pony Express Parkway right-of-way project. The meeting began with an invocation by Councilmember Newell.

Annual Audit Report (2.1)

• Dana Howell of Osborne Robbins Bueller presented the audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. She reported a clean opinion on the financial statements, with no material misstatements. No expenditures exceeded budget.
• A single audit for federal grants (over $750,000 spent) found no findings. The largest programs were pressurized irrigation meter installation and the Flight Park well.
• A significant deficiency in internal control was noted due to a higher-than-usual number of audit adjustments, primarily timing issues (e.g., payroll, inventory). Howell emphasized this was not abnormal and did not indicate a breakdown in controls.
• State compliance testing found no issues. The city passed all required tests (budgetary compliance, fund balance, justice court, restricted taxes, fraud risk assessment).
• Howell praised the finance department staff (Dean, Karma, Allison) for their cooperation.

Citizen Survey Results (2.2)

• Karen of Y2 Analytics presented results from the annual resident survey, fielded January 5–12, 2026. The survey used an online panel with 1,000+ responses, weighted to city demographics.
• Key findings: 78% would recommend Lehi as a great place to live; average quality of life rating 75 out of 100. 68% said the city is headed in the right direction (rebounding from 2024). 70% approved of elected officials (down slightly). 80% said the city is growing too quickly.
• Top concerns: traffic/congestion and growth/infrastructure. High-density housing, affordability, and water also mentioned.
• City service ratings: Fire/EMS 85, garbage 82, power 79, police 78, culinary water 77. Development permitting scored lowest at 42.
• Councilmember Harrison questioned the survey timing, noting confusion among residents about whether the survey reflected the previous or new council. Karen explained the survey is held consistently in January to allow year-over-year comparisons and avoid summer low response. Councilmember Stallings agreed the data is valuable for budget planning despite timing concerns.
• Councilmember Freeman noted the survey results validated what residents shared during the election campaign.

Police Department Staffing Discussion (3.1)

• Chief Paul presented a staffing analysis using an ICMA peak workload study. Currently, 62% of sworn officers are in patrol. The study indicates the city is understaffed for 21 out of 24 hours, with the largest gap at 8 p.m. (22 officers needed).
• Councilmember Stallings noted that proactive policing is essential, and the goal is to have 60% committed time and 40% discretionary. Chief Paul agreed but said a multi-year plan (4-5 years) is needed to close the gap.
• The department hired 3 officers last year (city-funded) and 2 more via a federal grant (3-year decreasing funding). Grant funding is not sustainable long-term.
• Councilmember Freeman requested a breakdown of high-priority vs. low-priority calls and data from the 2022 staffing study for comparison. Chief Paul will provide detailed information, including shift differentials and dangerous call trends.
• Councilmember Lockhart expressed concern about sharing staffing gaps publicly, potentially compromising safety. Chief Paul noted that neighboring agencies provide mutual aid for high-priority calls.
• Councilmember Newell highlighted the importance of data-driven decisions and supporting officers. The council agreed to review the full analysis before the budget retreat.

Mayor and City Council Committee Assignments (3.2)

• Mayor Pro Tem Stallings and Tisha presented a spreadsheet of municipal code committees (subject to open meetings) and other community boards. Many assignments are liaisons, not voting members. The council decided to postpone final assignments until the budget retreat to allow more research on meeting times and commitments.
• Councilmember Harrison expressed a principle that elected officials should serve on any committee with taxing authority. Councilmember Freeman supported having both staff and an elected official if possible. Staff noted that some boards (like TSSD) are highly technical and recommended keeping staff on them.
• New liaison suggestions: senior center (Councilmember Stallings) and small business commission (Councilmember Freeman).
• The council discussed the distinction between liaison and board member for conflict of interest disclosures. Staff will provide a column for meeting frequency and clarify voting status.

1900 South / Pony Express Parkway Right-of-Way (3.3)

• City Engineer Brad Kennison presented an update on the 1900 South extension (Pony Express Parkway) from Center Street to 700 West in American Fork. The project has been planned since 2001 and received $12.69 million in MAG funding (2022), with the city paying 6.77% (Lehigh's share ~$430,000). The roadway will be built initially as a two-lane pioneer road with five-lane right-of-way purchased.
• Saratoga Springs received additional funding to widen its section to five lanes (construction starting soon). Lehigh will stripe five lanes on an existing quarter-mile section, but a 900-foot segment at the American Fork border remains to be designed and funded. Kennison secured approval to include that segment in the current design contract.
• Councilmember Harrison expressed concern about traffic from five lanes funneling into Lehigh neighborhoods and questioned whether the road should be built to five lanes immediately. Kennison estimated the extra cost at $15-20 million (Lehigh's half ~$7.5-10 million) and noted that UDOT's Vineyard Connector (priority project) is not funded until 2032-2034, so additional traffic would have no outlet.
• Councilmember Freeman suggested partnering with Saratoga and Eagle Mountain to front-load funding, but Kennison cautioned that MAG typically reimburses only approved projects. Councilmember Lockhart proposed asking MAG to approve future widening now to allow early funding. Kennison agreed to explore options, including a potential state revolving loan. The council will discuss further during the budget retreat.

Key Outcomes

• The council accepted the audit report with no formal vote required.
• The citizen survey results were received and will inform budget priorities.
• Police staffing discussion will continue with additional data from the chief.
• Committee assignments postponed to the budget retreat.
• The 1900 South project will proceed with design and right-of-way acquisition; council will consider additional funding options.
• The council voted unanimously to enter a closed meeting to discuss real property (purchase, exchange, lease) prior to the regular 7 p.m. session.