Alta adopts fire restriction ordinance; budget, tax rate still pending
The Alta Town Council adopted an ordinance on Aug. 12 that gives the town manager authority to implement, modify, and rescind fire restrictions. The council also held a public hearing on a proposed budget and tax rate increase, but no decision has been reported.
Fire restrictions ordinance
The council adopted Ordinance 2026-O-13, amending Title 5, Chapter 3C, Section 7 of the town code. The ordinance delegates authority to the Town Manager to implement, modify, and rescind fire restrictions. The adoption was confirmed in a notice dated Aug. 13.
Budget and tax rate
On Aug. 11, the council held a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Fund Budget and a certified tax rate of .000979. The proposal estimates $505,000 in revenue, including $92,820 in additional annual ad valorem tax revenue. The budget would fund employee wage increases, facility costs, Central Wasatch Commission contributions, the Alta Resort Shuttle program, the Civil Code Enforcement Program, police cost-of-living adjustments, summer program staffing, Building Permit modernization, and maintenance at the Our Lady of the Snows Community Center.
The council had two resolutions on the agenda: Resolution 2026-R-27 to adopt the final tax rate and Resolution 2026-R-28 to adopt the FY27 budget. No outcome has been published.
Other council business
At the Aug. 12 meeting, the council also discussed an application by Shallow Shaft, LLC and Walter Krebsbach to amend the Base Facilities Zone Ordinance text. The council heard a presentation on insurance renewal with Utah Local Governments Trust from Josh McKell, and a Business License Study from Zions Public Finance. The council also considered a possible closed meeting under Utah Code 52-4-205.
Coming up
The Alta Planning Commission will meet Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. at the Alta Community Center. The commission will hold a public hearing on three proposed code amendments: adopting the 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code (per H.B. 41), changing the Land Use Appeal Authority from the Town Council to an Administrative Law Judge (per S.B. 284), and moving setback authority in Forestry and Recreation Zones from the Town Council to the Planning Commission. The commission will also discuss a boundary adjustment for Alta Ski Area involving a .18-acre tract from parcel 30-05-154-013 to 30-05-154-015, and a draft scope of work for the General Plan update. Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker; the meeting is hybrid with a virtual option.