ST. GEORGE — The proposed Washington City budget for fiscal year 2023 is projected to see an $18 million increase over last year’s budget due to continuing growth and capital projects needed to accommodate it.
The FY 2023 budget is projected to be over $120.5 million, a jump from the current year’s budget, which sits at $102.3 million. The fiscal, or budget year, begins July 1 and ends June 30.
“Capital outlay makes up a majority of the budget increase,” Brian Brown, Washington City’s financial director, told the Washington City Council during a workshop meeting Tuesday.
Capital projects – which are primarily funded through impact fees collected from new development – make up an estimated $56 million of the overall budget. Projects being funded for the year are either new or continuing ones that are also a part of the city’s five-year capital projects plan.
These projects include many under the categories of leisure service, power, sewer, stormwater, streets and water.
“One of the biggest projects is our Wheels Park that we’re planning for at 3650 (South) and (state Route 7),” city manager Jeremy Redd told St. George News following the council meeting. “That’s a $10 million skate park, bicycle pump track and regular park.”
Of the $10 million, $6 million was saved from last year for this particular project.
Wheels Park has been in the works since 2020 and has involved the donation of land to the city from two private landowners to help it come to pass. City officials have expressed hope that it will become a regional attraction.
The city is also putting $1.5 million toward a shop for parks, maintenance and cemetery use.
There are a few street projects of note projected for FY 2023. These include the 7th phase of the Washington Fields Road ($2.5 million), 3650 South-related projects ($4.4 million), the Interstate 15 interchange at mile 11 ($2 million), highway maintenance ($1 million) and new medians on Telegraph Street ($500,000).
According to the proposed budget’s summary, Washington City anticipates issuing 658 residential building permits during FY 2023. However, this is considered a “conservative projection.” Permits issued for last year sit around 800.
The city’s general budget, which is largely used to fund city services such as public safety, parks and recreation, land development and city administration, is projected to be around $28.5 million, a 3% increase from the current budget. Over half of the general fund goes to the city’s public safety services.
A large contributor to the revenue found in the general fund comes from the sales and property tax the city collects. The proposed budget is projected to see a 20% increase in sales tax revenue and an 11% increase in property tax revenue over the coming budget year.
“Taxes make up the majority of everything,” Brown said.
Personnel wise, the city has budgeted to hire up to 13 new employees with a majority of the positions being full-time. This includes spots for two new police officers and three new firefighters.
Pay adjustments for city employees are also recommended in the 2023 budget.
The remainder of the budget is made up of the city’s enterprise funds, which are sometimes referred to as proprietary funds. These funds are dedicated to city departments that can be thought of as being run in a businesslike manner, such as the water and power departments.
Other city funds include special revenue, debt services and internal services.
The budget has yet to be officially adopted by the City Council and may be subject to change until that time.
The City Council will be holding a public hearing on the proposed 2023-23 budget on May 25 during a council meeting set for 6 p.m.
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