FY 2026-2027 budget, ladder truck and utility rates
Summary
The city's $123.4 million tentative budget includes no utility rate increases this year and about a 5% lower bottom line than last year. Final adoption, the certified tax rate, and executive pay hearings come June 17.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 17, 2026.
Impact analysis
A $123.4 million citywide budget with no utility rate hikes this year; rate increases may be needed in future years to maintain bond coverage.
All residents, especially utility customers who avoid rate increases this year.
None identified, though deferred infrastructure spending could mean larger future rate increases.
Mentions & discussions (5)
City Council - Jun 17, 2026
Payson is holding the line: the certified tax rate went down slightly and no utility rates are rising this year. The council credits department heads for cutting 5% from their budgets. Smith cautioned she won't support raises or spending increases every year given residents' cost pressures.
City Council - Jun 3, 2026
The tentative budget is $126.57 million with no tax increase planned this year. Council members grappled with a 25-year-old ladder truck needing replacement (4-year wait, ~$2M), a $0.31 recycling rate bump, and how to explain rising utility rates to residents — some of whom say they're leaving Payson over power bills.
City Council - May 6, 2026
The city's $123.4 million tentative budget includes no utility rate increases this year and about a 5% lower bottom line than last year. Final adoption, the certified tax rate, and executive pay hearings come June 17.
City Council (Work) - Apr 29, 2026
No rate hikes this year, but sewer and water rates will likely need to rise to cover bond debt. Council Member Smith wants a feasibility study first — including what neighboring cities pay Payson for utility service — before raising residents' bills.
City Council - Mar 4, 2026
Councilmember Lacee Smith wants to move forward with an already-budgeted utility study so the city knows where its sewer and water systems stand — including whether rates charged to outside communities are still fair. No rate increases are planned, but the data would prevent surprises in five or ten years.
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