Mayor Janet Wampler

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Mayor's Message: Separating Fact from Fiction: A FY27 Budget Update
By Mayor Janet Wampler - 14 June 2026

Well, here we are with the latest update on our FY27 budget journey.

I know there are a lot of rumors circulating right now. Some say, “The city can’t collect taxes this year.” Not true. Others claim, “Our budget shortfall is due to the City Council missing a deadline.” Also, not true.

There has been a great deal of confusion and misinformation circulating, which can make an already challenging situation even harder to navigate. In times of uncertainty, it is important that we understand the facts and seek out accurate information.

The truth is that Ogden Valley City has met every deadline and milestone required of us. Since incorporation, we have worked tirelessly to build a city from the ground up. In doing so, we have accomplished more than any other incorporation effort in recent history. It is worth remembering that we are undertaking this enormous task as volunteers, without a playbook and without an expert guiding us through the process.

Along the way, we have often found ourselves educating others about the legal and administrative realities of incorporation. We have worked with county officials to clarify statutory timelines, helped state agencies understand issues unique to newly incorporated entities, and navigated property tax procedures that even experienced administrators had not previously encountered. Today, we continue to explain the disconnects between state law and the State Tax Commission's administrative procedures.

Our effort to proceed through the Truth-in-Taxation process continues. On June 4, Ogden Valley City filed a Petition and Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, along with supporting exhibits. In that filing, we present evidence demonstrating that the City complied with state statutes and should be allowed to proceed with Truth-in-Taxation during this first year of incorporation. We have requested an expedited ruling because there are additional statutory deadlines we must continue to meet. We expect to hear back from the court in the coming weeks.

So what does this mean for residents?
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Until we receive a ruling from the court, your City Council is moving forward on two parallel paths.

Path #1 is the Truth-in-Taxation process. Under this approach, we would balance the FY27 budget through an adjustment to the property tax rate. This remains our preferred option because we believe it is the fairest and most equitable solution for the community.

Path #2 assumes we are not permitted to adjust the tax rate until the following fiscal year. Under this scenario, we would need to balance the FY27 budget through a combination of additional fees, borrowing, and significant reductions to critical services. This is not the outcome we want, but it is one we must be prepared for if the state ultimately requires it.

Managing these two pathways simultaneously adds considerable complexity to an already demanding workload. Nevertheless, we are committed to doing everything within our power to right the ship during our first year and make this process as manageable as possible for our residents.

A lesser council might choose the easier route—abandoning the Truth-in-Taxation effort and simply waiting until next year. We are not a lesser council. We will do what is difficult when it is necessary to do what is right.

To ensure we remain compliant regardless of the court's decision, we are meeting every legal requirement for both paths. Under Path #1, we must adopt an interim Truth-in-Taxation budget before the end of June. Under Path #2, we must hold a public hearing and adopt a final FY27 budget before the end of June.

For that reason, the City Council will hold two separate FY27 budget public hearings on June 16. Even though Path #1 does not require a public hearing, we have chosen to hold one anyway in the interest of transparency and public engagement.

Residents may attend in person or via Zoom. In addition, public comments can be submitted at any time leading up to the hearings through the "Contact Us" page on the City's website or by emailing the City Council directly. We encourage residents to share their questions, concerns, and feedback, whether they can attend the hearings or not.

Budget documents have been available at every City Council meeting and at our office since May 5. They are also on our website (ogdenvalley.gov) and can be reviewed and downloaded there.  We also discuss this at every one of our council meetings as a standing agenda item.

I know this situation can feel overwhelming and confusing. I certainly wish the process was simpler, and I wish I could tell you definitively what will happen next. But, as has often been the case throughout Ogden Valley City's incorporation journey, we must play the cards we've been dealt and continue moving forward.

Please know that I remain committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your continued engagement in our community.

We will get through this together.

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