The South Davis Metro Fire Board of Trustees will hold its first regular meeting since the Monday, Aug. 3, Truth in Taxation public hearing when it convenes Friday, Aug. 7, at 8 a.m. at Station 81 in Bountiful.

The outcome of that hearing, where residents could weigh in on the district's proposed 16.31% property tax increase, has not been publicly posted. The board has until Sept. 1 to adopt a final tax rate and fiscal year 2027 budget.

No tax vote is on Friday's agenda. Instead, the board will take up governance, operations and leadership updates.

What's on the agenda

Commissioner Ryan Westergard will lead a discussion on the Board Sub-Committee's role regarding the Administrative Committee. No supporting documents describing the sub-committee's findings have been released.

Fire Chief Jeff Larsen will deliver both an Operations Report and a separate Fire Chief Report. The FY2027 budget is the first prepared under Larsen, a Bountiful High School graduate who joined the department part-time in 1997 and was appointed chief May 18 after the death of Chief Greg Stewart in February.

"To think I started out as a part-time firefighter at the age of 20 and here I am now as the Fire Chief," Larsen told the Davis Journal in May upon his appointment.

The board will also consider approving minutes from its June 15 meeting, where trustees voted 5-0 to set the proposed tax levy rate of 0.000593, and from a June 26 emergency session called to discuss Gov. Spencer Cox's wildfire executive order ahead of Pioneer Day fireworks. Board Chair Brian Horrocks will close with a Chairman Report.

Tax hike context

As we reported July 30, the proposed increase would generate roughly $1.3 million in new property tax revenue to cover a projected $1.9 million budget shortfall. It is the largest proposed tax increase by dollar amount among nine Davis County taxing entities seeking hikes this year.

The owner of a $651,000 home would pay an additional $29.71 per year in fire district taxes. Three line items drive the increase: salary and benefit hikes ($807,140), a new Deputy Fire Chief position ($238,853) and higher operating costs ($255,977).

Board members Kate Bradshaw (Bountiful mayor), Clark Wilkinson, Brian Horrocks, Ken Romney and Bob Stevenson voted in favor of the proposed rate on June 15. Westergard abstained.

The agenda includes a provision to enter closed session under Utah Code §52-4-205 to discuss real property, pending litigation or personnel matters.

How to attend

The meeting is open to the public at Station 81, 255 South 100 West, Bountiful. Residents needing accommodations can call 801-677-2400 at least 48 hours in advance. Minutes are expected to be posted at sdmetrofire.gov after the meeting.

The next regular board meeting is Aug. 17.