Dayton approves utility tax increase to cover county contract

DAYTON — Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6:00 p.m., November 19, 2024. Mayor Roger Trump and council members Tseeny McMunn, Michael Smith, James Su’euga, Laura Aukerman, and Shannon McMillen were at Dayton City Hall. Joann Patras and Kyle Anderson were not present.

Duane Goff rose to speak as the only member of the public to speak during the first public comment period concerning the Fourth Street sidewalk project. He spoke on the same topic at a recent city council meeting. He began by asking, “Who is the city?” He concluded that the people are the city. The gist of his lengthy remarks concerned how the sidewalk project impacted his auto shop business on the corner of Main Street and Fourth Street. He said the city had not given him sufficient notice of the project, and no project managers were available to speak with him when the project began. He had expected more transparency in city government and hoped they will improve in the future.

Sheriff Helm and County Commissioner Ryan Rundell were unavailable to give reports.

The council approved the mayor’s appointment of Mike Smith to the Historic Preservation Commission. Smith abstained from the vote.

The council held a public hearing concerning a one percent tax levy increase, but there were no comments. With Aukerman dissenting, the council voted 4 to 1 to approve Resolution No. 1554 authorizing the one percent tax levy increase.

Next, the council considered Ordinance 2014 to increase the city’s utility tax by nineteen percent, from fifteen percent to thirty-four percent. Funds from the utility tax are used to pay the county for services, including law enforcement and municipal courts.

The 2025 interlocal agreement with the county will cost the city over $758,000, and the nineteen percent increase is the lowest to cover the cost for county services. During council discussion, most members expressed concern over the necessity for such a significant increase, however, they agreed that “kicking the can down the road” would saddle taxpayers even more later. The city expects the new tax schedule will take effect in March 2025. Ordinance 2014 was passed unanimously.

There were no reports from the mayor, council members, or city staff.

The council meeting adjourned at about 7:24 p.m.. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 6 p.m.