Budget
Contact Information:
Finance Director
(435) 734-6620
City Treasurer
(435) 734-6629
City Recorder
(435) 734-6621
2022-23 Revenues and Expenditures
Reading the Budget Document
Council's Budget to Prior Year Budget Comparison
Pages 2-8 in 2022-23 Budget
In this section, you'll find a summary of the changes between last year's budget and this year's budget, along with a brief explanation of the change. The first page lists changes to the income and expenditures of the General Fund, which is the operating budget of the City. The following pages look at changes to each of the Enterprise Funds, also known as Special Revenue Funds. Following those, changes are listed for the Debt Service Fund, the Capital Projects Fund, and the Redevelopment Agency Fund.
The General Fund is the operating budget of the City, and typically includes regular expenses that the City incurs each year. The largest expenses in this fund are related to employee salary and benefits.
Each Enterprise Fund represents a self-supporting arm of the City, and each has its own accounting and reporting system. Enterprise Funds are similar to the budgets of private businesses, and may generate profits and loss just like any other business. With the exception of the public library, Enterprise Funds are not funded by property taxes. Brigham City has seven Enterprise Funds: Public Utility, Storm Drain, Golf, Library, Fleet, Facility, and Airport.
The Debt Service Fund records the payment of principal and interest on a fiber optic bond. The Capital Projects Fund houses savings for large projects in the future. Just like a homeowner might save over time with the intention of replacing the roof, the City saves over time for large projects. The Redevelopment Agency Funds are dedicated to economic development in particular areas of town. Each fund is targeted to one area.
Capital Projects
Pages 9-20 in 2022-23 Budget
Capital Projects are one-time projects that may be funded in a single year, or large projects that require budgeting over the course of several years. This section begins with a list of the projects included in this budget. The list also includes the amounts received from other funding sources, which are usually grants.
The following pages provide a little more detail by listing each project and where the funding for each project will come from. Capital Projects can be funded from a variety of sources, including the General Fund, the Capital Projects Fund, the Utilities Fund, grants, and more.
Budget Worksheets
Pages 21-136 in 2022-23 Budget
The bulk of the budget document is made up of comparisons of revenue and expenditures over the last five years, including the adopted budget. It also shows the comparison between what the department requested, what the mayor proposed, and what the City Council approved for the newly adopted budget.
These comparisons are organized by fund, and repeat the pattern of revenue sources and then expenditures for each fund.
- General Fund revenues, pages 21-27
- General Fund expenditures, pages 28-56
- Golf Course Fund, pages 57-59
- Debt Service Fund, pages 60-63
- Capital Fund, pages 64-75
- Airport Fund, pages 76-78
- Public Utilities Fund, pages 79-97
- Storm Drain Fund, pages 98-100
- Fleet Fund, pages 101-104
- Facility Fund, pages 105-108
- Library Fund, pages 109-112
- RDA Funds, pages 113-136
Frequently Asked Questions
What entities impose taxes on Brigham City residents?
What does "certified tax rate" mean?
How is the budget created?
How can I be involved in the budget process?
What are inter-fund transfers, and why does Brigham City do them?
Why are budgets amended?
What entities impose property taxes on Brigham City residents?
Brigham City residents pay property taxes to a variety of entities, including Box Elder School District, Box Elder County, Bear River Water Conservancy District, Box Elder Mosquito Abatement, and more, in addition to Brigham City. The school district is by far the largest taxing entity, accounting for nearly half of a property owner's tax burden. Taxes paid to Brigham City do not go to the school district. These are two separate entities.
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What does "certified tax rate" mean?
Each year, the Utah State Tax Commission determines what tax rate a taxing entity would need to impose in order to receive the same amount of revenue as the previous year. This is the "certified tax rate." Sometimes, a taxing entity chooses to impose a different tax rate in order to accommodate additional funding needs. This process requires a process called Truth in Taxation, which requires the entity to hold a public hearing and inform the taxpayers about the new rate prior to approving it.
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How is the budget created?
The process of creating a new budget starts in February of each year. Generally, this is the schedule if the City Council decides to accept the Certified Tax Rate:
- March and April: The Mayor and City Council hold a series of work sessions to discuss budget needs
- May: The Mayor presents a tentative budget to the City Council by the first City Council meeting in May
- June: A public hearing is held no later than June 14; notice about the hearing is posted seven days prior to the public hearing
- June: City Council approves the tentative budget by June 30
- July: New budget takes effect
When the City Council chooses to raise taxes, the schedule changes to accommodate the Truth in Taxation process. A public hearing will be held in June or July, and the final budget will be passed in August.
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How can I be involved in the budget process?
Meetings between department heads and the Mayor are private, but the public is invited to attend all work sessions between the Mayor and City Council Members. Notices of these meetings are posted on our website, in the City offices, in the local newspaper, and on the Utah Public Notice website.
The public is welcome to contact City Council Members and the Mayor using the contact forms on the Mayor and City Council page. The public is also invited to share comments during regular City Council meetings and during other public hearings.
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What are inter-fund transfers, and why does Brigham City do them?
Inter-fund transfers occur when the City Council authorizes money to be transferred from one fund to another. Usually, these come from the utility fund to the general fund. This makes the money available for the general operating expenses of the city.
Brigham City uses utility fund transfers to offset the demand for property taxes and to help ensure that all entities within the city contribute to the general operating expenses. Several entities, such as schools, churches, and other non-profits, do not pay property taxes. But they do pay for utilities such as water and power. Inter-fund utility transfers provide a way for non-taxable entities to pay part of the funding for city operations, and therefore decrease the tax burden on those who do pay property taxes.
It is sometimes suggested that Brigham City lower the utility rates and stop the practice of utility fund transfers. If the City Council were to do this, the increase in property taxes on individuals would be greater than the decrease in utility rates. In other words, it would end up costing individuals more than the current system.
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Why are budgets amended?
The budget that is approved each year is the City Council and Mayor's plan for what will be spent. However, they don't know all of the details, and a variety of issues may impact actual expenditures. For example, a change in the economy can greatly increase or decrease the amount of sales tax revenue the City receives. By law, Brigham City must maintain a balanced budget, which means the amount of income must match the expenditures. When actual income or expenses differs from the approved budget, the City Council considers amendments.
Amendments require a public hearing, where residents of Brigham City can weigh in on the change. Public hearing are generally held during regular City Council meetings.
