Council adopted an amended utility rate resolution on June 2. The $5.00 monthly base increase for culinary water was approved. The proposed $1.00 wastewater treatment and $1.00 sewer collection increases were pulled back pending the results of a comprehensive utility rate study.

The $5.00 culinary water adjustment is tied to bond covenants and is the level Finance staff identified as necessary to maintain bond compliance. Council preferred not to raise the same fee twice in a single year and chose to wait for full rate study data before considering further adjustments. Public Works is preparing a Request for Proposal for the rate study. The Capital Facilities Plan and impact fee schedule will be addressed alongside it. The city’s impact fees have not been updated since 2013.

Power poles for the Rocket Road project have been relocated, and cemetery roads will be paved alongside Rocket Road as part of the same effort. Fence installation at the equalization basin is in progress so the basin can be brought fully into service. The secondary water system continues operating for the season.

Council continued strategic planning work, moving from Pillar One (Connect to the Good Life) to Pillar Two: Connect to Each Other. The strategic focus for this pillar centers on belonging, inclusion, transparency, trust, and building community relationships.

Challenges identified included intolerance and social division, low civic engagement, transparency concerns, social toxicity, and the influence of outside voices on community-facing social media. Desired outcomes discussed included a community-driven campaign to highlight positive resident actions, revisiting recognition programs such as Yard of the Month, adoption of a current Comprehensive Plan, continued work on the Utah Dignity Index standard, the launch of a modernized city website targeted for July 16, and review of the Utah community wellness survey results anticipated in August.

The next Strategic Planning session will focus on public safety and becoming good neighbors. Council’s goal continues to be identifying four to five priorities within each pillar and aligning citywide funding and effort accordingly.

Zach Olds was recognized for five years of service with the Tremonton Fire Department. Olds has served in fire and emergency services since 2009 and currently serves as a battalion chief for Hill Air Force Base Emergency and Fire Services. During his time with Tremonton he has led development of the department’s hazardous materials program, secured more than $120,000 in grants for equipment and training, and helped author the recently approved hazmat agreement with West Liberty Foods.

Council directed staff to delay signing the purchase order for the next ambulance until after July 1 so the $385,000 expenditure can be reflected in the FY27 budget. Delivery is expected in April 2027, and Council supports returning the department to a regular three-year replacement cycle. The department is also evaluating a Sprinter van–style transport ambulance for non-emergency hospital transfers. The Finance Director will return with a Capital Equipment Program covering long-term replacement needs across the city.

Two older ambulances will be listed for sale through online and auction channels. If they have not sold above $5,000 by August 1, the department is authorized to donate them to a smaller agency in need. Council also supported the addition of one part-time firefighter, funded with carry-forward salary savings from a vacancy held during the current fiscal year. The added staff member is expected to reduce overtime and improve ambulance availability during transfers.

The department presented a proposal to begin billing for non-EMS fire response—traffic accidents, hazmat calls, and wildland fires—through Fire Recovery USA. Billing would be directed to insurance carriers only, and residents whose insurance does not pay would not be billed personally. From January through May 2026, an estimated $27,000 in cost across 38 calls would have been recoverable. The item will return for further review.

Officer Nick Nessen, the School Resource Officer at the middle school, was recognized as Employee of the Quarter by the Box Elder School District. The Police Chief is also finalizing a $400,000 grant application through the Department of Justice COPS Office that would fund a detective position for two and a half years in support of a regional major investigations unit. Letters of support have been received from the Box Elder County Sheriff, the Perry Police Chief, and the Brigham City Police Chief.

Council approved Resolution 26-32 authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Box Elder School District for School Resource Officer services, with funding flowing directly to the city. The city also publicly thanked the Brigham City and Perry Police Departments for shift coverage that allowed Tremonton-Garland officers to attend the National Peace Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Council approved Resolution 26-33 authorizing an interlocal agreement with the town of Garland for court services. Under the agreement, all citations issued by Tremonton-Garland Police officers will be processed through the Tremonton Justice Court. The fee structure matches the rate Garland currently pays the county. The agreement takes effect July 1, 2026, or upon approval by the Administrative Office of the Courts, whichever is later. The city attorney, public defender, prosecutor, bailiffs, and Judge Erickson have all indicated support.

Council approved Resolution 26-30 updating the Compensation and Classification Plan, solidifying a pay-scale adjustment for the Fire Department that was already included in the FY26 budget. A separate update applying a 3% cost-of-living adjustment to the minimum and maximum of all police and fire pay scales will return for Council action at the next meeting, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Council formally denied an annexation request for a parcel adjacent to the city’s future annexation boundary, allowing the applicant to complete a building permit through Box Elder County. The parcel cannot be annexed because doing so would create an island within the city’s boundaries. Separately, Council members will begin attending Planning Commission meetings as observers, consistent with practice in similarly sized Utah cities. The role at those meetings is to listen rather than participate, unless directly asked.

The City Recorder read into the record a memorandum from the Mayor and City Attorney reminding all members of public bodies of their obligations under the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act and the Government Records Access and Management Act when using personal devices during meetings.

Phones, tablets, and laptops may be used to review packet materials, city code, maps, and reference information. Deliberation among members of the same public body must occur out loud and on the record. Members should not text, message, or email other members of the same body about agenda items during a meeting, or use side channels with outside parties regarding pending matters. All written communication regarding city business, on any device, is a public record under GRAMA. The memorandum applies to both City Council and the Planning Commission.

Council approved the amended fees and fines resolution, incorporating the water rate adjustment described above.

Council approved a clarification of a water right tied to a prior property transaction.

Staff is proposing removal of temporary occupancy permits to ensure homes are fully completed before occupancy. The city is moving to a new payment processor, with real-time bank payments carrying a $1 transaction fee passed to the user rather than a 3% card processing fee absorbed by the city.

Park and field rental fees will move to a resident and non-resident structure. Pavilion rentals will increase to $25 for residents and $40 for non-residents, with half-day and full-day options. Tournament use of athletic fields will be charged at a flat per-field rate that includes one field preparation. Park rentals and stage use will be managed through the community event permit process, and reservation signage at park locations is being refreshed.

The Finance Director reported the regional grant for Midland Square has been closed, including the final 10% reimbursement. A tourism grant has been closed, and a water grant tied to the two equalization basins and the ASR project is in final closeout. Kelly Wood of Main Street America will attend the June 16 RDA meeting to discuss coordination between Main Street America’s program and current city event and activity programming. A draft of the Main Street façade grant program is under review by Council.

A resident shared concerns about communication and coordination between local agencies and the Box Elder County Attorney’s Office on a matter affecting his neighborhood. Council received the comment.

A resident shared input on workshop items, including fleet maintenance, ambulance contract terms, youth engagement with the Fire Department, school district coordination, and labor cost recovery on billed services. The resident also publicly invited the prior speaker to attend an upcoming meeting of the city’s Emotional Wellness Committee.

A resident raised concerns regarding a group home in the area of 700 North and 200 East, including an incident involving a resident of the home attempting to enter a neighboring property. The resident asked Council to consider the appropriateness of the location given its proximity to a school and church and to evaluate available safeguards. The item was referred to staff for follow-up.

Questions about your utility bill can be directed to the Utility Billing office at City Hall. Questions about the FY27 budget may be raised at the June 16, 2026 Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

This Connection Report is compiled from the audio record of the City Council Workshop, Strategic Planning Session, and City Council Meeting held June 2, 2026. Official minutes remain the authoritative record of Council action.