General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Wellington

Public Body

Wellington City Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Wellington City Council Meeting Minutes

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

August 13, 2025 06:00 PM

Description/Agenda

Wellington City Council Minutes Meeting held August 13, 2025 at Wellington City Hall Located at 150 West Main Street, Wellington, Utah at 6:00 P.M. Present: Mayor, Jack Clark, Councilmember Bill Juber, Councilmember Kathy Hascall, Councilmember Bryan Thayn, Councilmember Kyle Monson Absent: Councilmember Barney Zauss City Staff: Tom Kosmack, Kevin Saccomano, George Anderson Attendees: Eric Cloward, Betty Bailey-Rich, Roy Rich, Darla Rich, Michael Mills, Betty Jo Campbell, Sean Hagaus, Bill Barnes, Roselyn Barnes, Megan Camberlango, Ray Reddington, Laurie Whitaker, Mr. and Mrs. Barff, William Knott, Michael Huff, Lynn O'Neil, Cindy O'Neil, Brian Powell, Julie Powell, Kathie Thayn, Tom King, Mike Lewandowski, Karolyn Lewandowski, Brad Allred, Kelly Killpack, Roger Scoville, Shauna Scoville, Roger Kersetter, Debbie Brinkley, Leon Rich, Jim Nelson, Robyn Nelson, Coleen Cave, Randy Bruno, Dale Davis, Arlene Kelley, Joni Boren, Glenn Wells, Kathy Miller, Cody Austin, Taylor Austin, Matt Perea, Brandi Davis, Jeremy Hobbs, Robin Jensen, Lacy Jensen, Magin Henrie, Susan Etzel, Scott MacKinght, Dale Norton, Chance Norton, Janell Norton, Bill Campbell, Renai Campbell, Casey Norton, Sarah Norton, Debra Scovill, Roy Purcell, Tala Madsen, Matt Madsen, Erin Hansen, Mike Hansen, Gary Houskeeper, Jaylyn Sowards, James Sowards, Jennifer Warner, Dustin Warner, Vikki Madsen, Clint Madsen, Ed Chavez, Holly Leazer, Billy Leazer, Arletta Childs, Kim Boyes, Paula Noyes, Ed Pell, Jaylynn Powell, Rodger Branch, JD Pell, Caleb Nelsen, Melanie Day, Roy Day, Tamara Gray, Bill Wardle, Sam Espinoza, Pat Espinoza, Joyce Houskeeper, Jake Ori, Stuart Bettino, Deanne Bettino, Kirt Yingling, Joyce Yingling, Bill little, Debby Little, Dean Hadden, Bobbie Vigil, LeRoy Vigil, Brett Davis Agenda Item #1 Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, and Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes At 6:01 pm, Mayor Clark opened the meeting stating that everyone was present except Councilmember Zauss. Motion: Councilmember Hascall made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from July 23, 2025. Councilmember Monson seconded the motion; followed by Councilmember Juber, and Councilmember Thayn. Agenda Item #2 Public Comment Period Agenda Item #3 Public Hearing: Proposed Property Tax Increase - Adjustment of Certified Tax Rate Mayor Clark explained the city has been working with accountants for the last 3 years to address financial issues and confirmed findings with an additional firm. He clarified the tax increase would raise the rate to 0.005, which would still leave a $26,550 deficit Stated the city is currently losing about $70,000 per month Emphasized the city runs on 'bare bones' staff and has delayed hiring and maintenance. Bill Barnes tells the council that the needs are long overdue, and he wants the needs to continue to go overdue. Every single year, the budget tells the story, and it doesn't take 8 years to realize there are major problems. Wants to know if salaries are going to increase 225%. Agrees a little bit every year is a lot easier to swallow. Mike Lewandowski stated Wellington has been nationally recognized as having the highest proposed property tax increase in the nation. Lewandowski compared Wellington's 225% increase to other Utah cities with increases between 65-100%. Wants the council to remember needs are different than wants. Tom King thanked the council for what they are doing, that things are hard. He understands that taxes are the only way to increase revenue. I would recommend that they look at budgets monthly. If tax revenues are delayed, he thinks the accountant is wrong. Roger Kerstetter cited state tax auditor information showing Wellington had a $1 million shortfall in 2023, then he was looking at the state auditor site and between 2023 and 2024 wages and budgets 188,625 were put into pay raises in 7 employees. The PD went up 47%. Chief got a 50% increase. Admin went up 17.4%. Public works went up 8%. His question is, when you're in the red, how do you give pay increases in that amount. Glen Wells biggest thing he has, look around - where are we supposed to get this kind of money? Must make the legislator to find another way to fund education. Local government needs to have money to run, and the state does nothing but come back with must dos. Cindy O'Neil spoke with the mayor two weeks ago and said he spoke with the mayor and stated that there are a lot of problems and line items that can be cleared up. Would like to see the cell phone lines go away and that little things like that would add up. Sam Espinoza thanked the mayor and the council for their time. He's hoping that the meeting isn't just a formality otherwise everyone is just wasting their time. States that this is a bad thing for elderly, but it also affects the young people as well. Asked, what happened to the American Dream. He asks that the council listen to the citizens that have spoken tonight. Lori Whitaker is a real estate agent in Price and moved to Wellington in 2021. Carbon County has the lowest median sales price in the state. Four plots in front of her house that are owned by the county. Wants to know how many other plots there are that the county is working off Wellington's backs. Says that the fees for folks being behind on taxes are miniscule. Wants to know how much back taxes are owed. Caleb Nelson states he has seen a lot of struggles over the years and doesn't want the council to take offense. He sat there and heard once that we don't have the money. Then three months later, there is the money. He thinks he needs other opinions on the books. Scott McKnight has questions on the irrigation fund, had $230,318 in the budget - does that carry over to the next year. Doesn't show up anywhere else. Is it a one-time expense? Thayn stated that it is the state money that was a partial grant. McKnight also asked about the waterline project and got a similar answer. Ray Reddington in the early 80s, he was on the planning and zoning and city council. There used to be a lot more that the city had to offer, but with the tax increase, we will be scaring away more people. Doesn't know why its called Wellington City, thinks it should be called Wellington Town. Ed Erickson worked for the city for 30 years and is proud of it. He said there had been 5 years when there wasn't a raise because the city didn't have the money. It feels like the city is banking on something that won't ever happen because of the development. Thayn read Ryan Madsen's email. She proposed phasing in increases gradually, seeking state/federal grants, attracting new businesses, and conducting an independent budget review. Tara Madsen addressed the crowd and wanted to let them know about the abatement program. Carbon County has a program that is geared towards those that are 65 and older. Apply at the clerk's auditor's office. There are other abatements for younger people as well as disabled veterans. She has felt bad that a lot of people don't know about the programs and so she wanted to show up and let the crowd know. Erin Hansen bought her first house in Wellington and is heartbroken because the taxes will be higher than her mortgage because she will have to move. McKay Quinn owns the 9 Mile RV Park and wants to echo what has been shared. States it discourages other businesses from coming to town and what the city needs is to bring more business. Wants to continue to bring lodging tax to the city and increase sales tax by bringing people to town. Brad Sowers said he was at the stand last time was to increase water on the hill. He did like what he said was that there are not people who show up to the meetings. As a community, we are saying something is broken and we need to fix it. He appreciates that the council is trying to fix it. Dale Davis does not live in Wellington anymore, but his mom does and is worried that the tax increase is going to be more than one of her social security checks. Bill Juber said that its based on two things and property value according to the county has raised. So, they raised the tax rate immensely which is what has driven up 225%. Wellington's request is .005. The only community not in the red is East Carbon because they do the tax increase every single year. Janell Norton has not made any upgrades to her home, but the property has gone up. Does not know why. Cannot afford a 225% property tax increase. Yeah, we can do a gradual increase, but not all at once. Betty Bailey Rich wants to make a statement that the property owners in Wellington should not pay for and be penalized for 8 years of mismanagement in one year. States that the big water users are being pro-rated and that the city is in a deficit because of it. Kelly Killpack has lived in Wellington for 17 years does believe the government should have to operate and budget just like he must. He can't because he has a limited income. If a politician in DC proposed a tax increase like this would be run out of DC. Cindy O'Neil approached again and says the county sheriff's office should only charge $60 if they get called out. Brett Davis questions on why Helper looks great, Price looks great. Raise taxes in Wellington for what? There is nothing here. Roger Scoville states that ordinances are not being enforced and being ticketed and could bring revenue to the city. If there are things that we can enforce, it would bring more revenue to the city. Cody Austin asks Ed Chavez who is running for Mayor what he would do to fix the city. Erin Hansen has an idea about making the city more beautiful. What if we ask businesses to donate to help the beautification. Roger Kersetter said that his friend's house went down 87,000. He has been to the assessor's office, and not to recommend people to go get it reassessed. Motion: Councilmember Thayn made a motion to move into the public hearing at 6:01 PM. Councilmember Monson seconded the motion; followed by Councilmember Juber and Councilmember Hascall. Councilmember Thayn made a motion to exit the public hearing at 7:48 PM. Councilmember Hascall seconded the motion; followed by Councilmember Juber and Councilmember Monson. Agenda Item #4 Consideration & Possible Adoption of RESOLUTION NO. 2025-02: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF WELLINGTON CITY, UTAH, ESTABLISHING THE CERTIFIED PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE 2025 TAX YEAR Motion: Councilmember Thayn made a motion to table the Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-02. Councilmember Monson seconded the motion; followed by Councilmember Juber and Councilmember Hascall. Agenda Item #5 Annexation Petition for Certification Motion: Councilmember Thayn made a motion to certification the Annexation for 51-acre lot. Councilmember Monson seconded the motion; followed by Councilmember Juber and Councilmember Hascall. Agenda Item #6 Councilmember Reports Councilmember Hascall went to the Carbon and Emery County Energy Coalition. It was a very informative meeting and recommends the public to look into it as the meetings are held once a quarter. Councilmember Thayn encouraged the public to research abatement filling with the county treasurer if needed. Motion: Agenda Item #7 Unfinished Business There was not any unfinished business to discuss. Motion: Agenda Item #8 Possible Closed Session to Discuss the Character, Professional Competence, or Physical or Mental Health of an Individual. Motion: Adjourn Motion: Councilmember Thayn made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Monson seconded the motion; followed by Councilmember Hascall, and Councilmember Juber. Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm Next meeting will be August 27, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. at the Wellington City Hall.

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing auxiliary services for this meeting should call 435-637-5213 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

Individuals who are interested in participating electronically via Zoom need to contact the city recorder at 435-637-5213, no later than 3:00 P.M. on the meeting date.

Other Information

A copy of this notice was emailed to the Sun Advocate, a newspaper of general circulation within Carbon County, to Radio Station KOAL/KARB, and Emery TV.

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

150 W MAIN
WELLINGTON, UT 84542
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Contact Name

Rebecca Evans

Contact Email

revans@wellingtonutah.org

Contact Phone

(435)637-5213

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

August 28, 2025 08:57 AM

Notice Last Edited On

August 28, 2025 08:57 AM

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