Farmington homeowners will pay about $33 more per year after the City Council voted unanimously Aug. 18 to raise property taxes by 4.99%.

The increase, adopted through Resolution PT-800, generates $285,108 in new annual revenue. Every dollar goes to the Fire Department to cover three full-time firefighters hired in January when the department expanded from seven to eight firefighters per shift. The Fire Marshal position also moved from part-time to full-time.

For the owner of an average $790,000 home, the cost is $32.58 per year. Business owners at the same property value will pay $59.25 more.

Four residents testified during a seven-minute public hearing before the vote.

Olivia King, who said she has lived in Farmington for 50 years, told the council she is being priced out of the city. King said it is difficult living on Social Security and wished there was something to help senior citizens, according to the meeting minutes.

Jeff Tolman, a 39-year resident, questioned how many police calls go to Lagoon. "Farmington residents on tight budgets don't want to suffer because of the tourists coming into the City," Tolman said. Kevin Tolman raised similar concerns about fire and paramedic resources stretched by Lagoon, the Western Sports Park and county facilities.

The vote was unanimous.

Mayor Brett Anderson responded that Lagoon is Farmington's single highest-paying taxpayer. The amusement park pays for a police officer year-round under a city contract, even though it operates seasonally. Anderson also said Lagoon is not a disproportionate user of fire and paramedic services.

Anderson acknowledged the city's staffing pressures. Police have dropped from 29 officers to 27. He noted that Lagoon can draw up to 20,000 visitors daily, and Station Park and the Western Sports Park together can bring 35,000 more.

Helen Perkins, a 70-year resident, asked what the increase would fund.

Councilmember Roger Child said it is a serious issue when residents feel priced out. He said neighborhoods like his own are aging, with people locked into large homes on fixed incomes. Child encouraged residents to apply for the county's tax deferral program, which is recorded against title deeds and paid when the property is sold. Councilmember Kristen Sherlock pointed residents to the Circuit Breaker program, which provides a better tax rate until a home is sold.

Councilmember Melissa Layton said city staff has cut costs where possible. The city stopped sending employees to the prison for unpaid blood draws and now charges for the service. Layton added that police officers paint their own walls to save money.

Councilmember Scott Isaacson said firefighters also serve as emergency medical providers and that the city's response times need to improve.

Finance Director Levi Ball told the council Farmington is proposing the second-lowest property tax rate in Davis County. According to the meeting packet, Farmington's 4.99% increase is the smallest among listed Davis County entities. Woods Cross proposed 46.86%, Centerville 15.61%, Kaysville 14.12% and the South Davis Metro Fire Service Area 16.31%.

The council also unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2027 final municipal budget, which includes 119 full-time employees, up from 113. New positions include the three firefighters, a parks maintenance worker, a facilities maintenance foreman, a senior accountant and a Lagoon patrol officer.