Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Payson City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
5 issues in taxes budget with high priority
First-ever transportation impact fee delayed
Payson has never had a transportation impact fee; the new one would charge developers at permit time — about $1,333 per single-family home — to pay for growth-driven roads, signals, and reimbursing developers who oversize collector roads. It protects existing residents from fronting those costs, and board feedback was generally supportive since neighboring cities already charge one.
PARC tax renewal (Proposition 1)
Payson is asking voters to renew the one-tenth-of-one-percent Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture sales tax for another ten years. It has raised about $3 million since 2017, funding pickleball and basketball courts, trails, playgrounds, and mini-grants to groups like the Payson Community Theater. It's not a new tax — it just keeps the existing penny-per-$10 in place, and it applies to everyone who shops in Payson, not just residents.
Impact fees coming to the Planning Commission
New development will pay more to hook up to drinking water (+$580 per connection) and pressurized irrigation (+$680), while the sewer fee dips slightly. The city is moving to annual updates so fees track real construction costs instead of jumping sharply every five to seven years. Councilmembers debated whether rising fees hurt middle-class homebuyers.
FY 2026-2027 budget, ladder truck and utility rates
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.
2025 Resident Survey Results
1,705 residents responded and results mirror 2022: most feel Payson is improving and headed the right direction. Historic downtown flipped from a top concern to a bright spot, while cost of living and budget management now top the worry list. Streets, curbs, and sidewalks rank high for investment.