Highland meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Highland City Council adopts FY 2026-27 budget with property tax increase

The Highland City Council adopted its fiscal year 2026-2027 final budget on Aug. 11, a plan that includes a property tax increase of $172,488 per year. The ordinance, O-2026-25, raises the annual city tax on a $1,036,000 home from $413.11 to $441.60, an increase of $28.49. For a business property of the same value, the tax rises from $751.10 to $802.90, an increase of $51.80.

Budget and property tax

The council approved the budget after holding a Truth in Taxation public hearing on Aug. 11 at Highland City Hall, 5400 West Civic Center Drive. The increase represents a 6.89% rise over last year's budgeted revenue excluding new growth. The hearing also covered the adoption of the certified tax rate. The budget ordinance is available at the Highland City Recorder's office. Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published.

Other council business

The council met on Aug. 18 to consider amendments to the nuisance ordinance that would restrict the parking or storage of dismantled, inoperable, unregistered, or untitled vehicles. The agenda also included amendments to water-wise landscaping standards, a discussion on detached accessory dwelling unit size regulations, ratification of large purchases made in July 2026, and the appointment of David Mortensen as Budget Officer and Rhett Weller to the Library Board. No decisions have been reported; minutes are not yet available.

Coming up

• **Planning Commission** – Aug. 25, 7:00 PM, Highland City Council Chambers. Public hearing on a request from LIHAI LLC for a legislative development agreement to build a 75-unit assisted living facility at 6571 W Grant Blvd (Parcel 66:418:0002) in the Skye Estates commercial district. The proposal would increase the building footprint and reduce parking requirements.
• **City Council** – Sep. 1, public hearing on the same LIHAI LLC development agreement. No final decision is scheduled; the hearing is for public input only.

Highland adopts right-of-way permit ordinance; property tax increase hearing set for Aug. 11

The Highland City Council adopted Ordinance O-2026-21 on July 21, 2026, amending regulations for right-of-way permit assurances. The ordinance is available for public review at the Highland City Recorder's office during regular business hours. The council also presented a summary of three ordinances adopted July 7, 2026: O-2026-18 (fire and wildland-urban interface code standards and a Wildland-Urban Interface Map), O-2026-19 (process for increasing compensation for elective officials), and O-2026-20 (allowing private dog training and recreation as a new business use in the R-1-40 zone).

Right-of-way permits and e-bike discussion

The July 21 council agenda included a vote on amending security requirements for right-of-way permits, including removing the one-year warranty for non-excavation permits. The council was also set to discuss e-bike regulations under city and state law, review the Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan, and hold a work session on detached accessory dwelling unit development code rules. Communication items included Flock camera terms, parking enforcement in Town Center, and annexation of unincorporated parcels. Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

Planning Commission hears landscaping and sight triangle proposals

On July 28, 2026, the Highland Planning Commission held public hearings on two proposed Development Code amendments: one consolidating and clarifying sight triangle regulations, and another updating landscaping standards to encourage water-wise methods, which could qualify residents for landscape modification rebates. The commission also discussed current residential setback and building height regulations, with no final action taken on that item. Approval of June 30, 2026 meeting minutes was listed as a consent item.

Truth in Taxation open houses

The City Council issued notices of quorum for Truth in Taxation Open Houses scheduled for July 27 and August 6, 2026, at 7:00 pm at Highland City Hall. A formal Truth in Taxation public hearing is set for August 11, 2026, at Highland City Hall, 5400 West Civic Center Drive, to consider a proposed property tax increase. If approved, the city would raise property tax revenue by $172,488 per year, a 6.89% increase over last year's budgeted revenue excluding new growth. For a residence valued at $1,036,000, the annual city tax would rise from $413.11 to $441.60, an increase of $28.49. For a business of the same value, the tax would increase from $751.10 to $802.90, an increase of $51.80.

Highland Fling

The council issued quorum notices for the Highland Fling event running July 30 through August 1, 2026, at Heritage Park and other locations. No official business, decisions, or discussions were scheduled. Council members were not required to attend; the notice noted only a possible quorum.

Coming up

• **August 4, 2026 — City Council:** Public hearing on proposed amendments to sight triangle regulations and landscaping requirements. The council will also consider adopting a water-wise landscaping ordinance to qualify for state and Central Utah Water Conservancy District rebates, selling three city-owned orphan parcels adjacent to properties owned by Jared Carman, Craig Johanson, and Rick Louder, awarding bids to Sidewinders for Well 4 motor repair, ICTech for Beacon Hills booster station SCADA replacement, and Insituform for phase 3 of sewer slip lining project. Dollar amounts for the bids were not specified in the agenda. The council will also discuss detached accessory dwelling unit regulations.
• **August 6, 2026 — Truth in Taxation Open House:** 7:00 pm at Highland City Hall.
• **August 11, 2026 — Truth in Taxation public hearing:** Proposed property tax increase of $172,488 in additional annual revenue, 6.89% above last year's budgeted revenue excluding new growth. Hearing at Highland City Hall, 5400 West Civic Center Drive.

Highland City Council posts adopted ordinances on fire code, elected official pay, and dog training; upcoming meetings focus on tax open houses and landscaping codes

The Highland City Council has posted a public summary of three ordinances adopted July 7, 2026, covering fire code standards, the process for raising elected officials' compensation, and a new business use allowing private dog training and recreation in the R-1-40 zone.

Ordinances adopted July 7

The council presented summaries of the following adopted ordinances at its July 21 meeting. No new decisions were made at that meeting; it served as public notice of the earlier adoptions.

• **O-2026-18** — Amends the Highland City Municipal Code for fire and wildland-urban interface code standards and adopts a Wildland-Urban Interface Map.
• **O-2026-19** — Amends municipal code related to the process for increasing compensation for elective officials.
• **O-2026-20** — Amends the development code to allow a new business use for private dog training and recreation in the R-1-40 zone.

July 21 City Council agenda

The City Council's July 21 agenda included several items for which minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed in the record. The agenda listed a vote on amending security requirements for right-of-way permits, including removing the one-year warranty for non-excavation permits. The council was also scheduled to discuss e-bike regulations under city and state law, review the Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan, and hold a work session on detached accessory dwelling unit development code rules. Communication items on the agenda included Flock camera terms, parking regulations and enforcement in Town Center, and annexation of unincorporated parcels.

Library Board meeting cancelled

The regularly scheduled Highland City Library Board meeting for July 16, 2026, was cancelled.

Coming up

Several meetings and events are scheduled in the next two weeks:

• **July 27, 7:00 pm** — Truth in Taxation Open House at Highland City Hall. A second open house is scheduled for August 6 at 7:00 pm.
• **July 27** — Highland Fling Committee Meeting. The council issued a notice of quorum indicating council members may attend.
• **July 28** — Planning Commission public hearings on sight triangle regulations and landscaping amendments with water conservation standards that could qualify residents for landscape modification rebates. The commission will also discuss residential setback and building height regulations, with no final action scheduled.
• **July 30–August 1** — Highland Fling at Heritage Park and other locations. A quorum notice was issued; no official business is scheduled.
• **August 4** — City Council public hearing on proposed amendments to sight triangle regulations and landscaping requirements in the Development Code and Municipal Code.