TCM Amended Budget for the Current Year March 19th 2026
Notice Type(s)
Meeting
Event Start Date & Time
March 19, 2026 05:00 PM
Description/Agenda
Town of Mantua Council Meeting Minutes
Amended Budget for the Current Year
For March 19th, 2026
Location: Town Hall, 409 North Main, Mantua, Utah
Council Members Present: Mayor Annette Ash, Mayor Pro Tempore Matt Jeppsen, Council Member Cheryl Burgan, Council Member Henry Dovey
Absent: Council member Scott Ross
Recorder: Sherita Schaefer
Audience Present: Pam Eaves, Marcus Abel, Dakota Midkiff, Will Hodgins
The meeting was opened by Mayor Annette Ash.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Annette Ash; all in attendance participated.
Judge Kevin Nelson administered the oath of office to Henry Dovey and was sworn in as a member of the Town Council at 5:00 P.M
Approval of Agenda
Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen motioned to review and approval of the amended budget for the current year agenda meeting agenda. Council Member Dovey made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross
MOTION PASSED
Quarterly Financial Review
Fiscal Year Budget Overview
The current fiscal year status as of the end of February, marking approximately 67% of the fiscal year completed. Financial Clerk Ronald Wallace reported that most revenues and expenditures are tracking near this 67% benchmark. While some administrative costs appear high, this is attributed to front-loaded annual insurance premiums paid in August. The town currently maintains a healthy financial position with a projected general fund surplus of approximately $50,436.
General Fund Review
Administrative expenditures are slightly elevated due to computer upgrades, yet this is offset by significantly lower-than-expected legal professional fees. Public Works remains under budget, Main Street reconstruction project to recognize only $250,000 this year as the $4 million project moves into its initial phases. Public Safety saw minor variances due to police vehicle repairs and Motorola contract payments, while Parks and Recreation expenditures have reached 72% of the budget-exceeding the 67% quarterly benchmark-primarily due to seasonal maintenance cycles and a noted lack of communication between project leads, volunteers, and the finance department. Wallace indicated that budget tracking in real-time remains difficult because he is often not informed of expenditures made by volunteers or project leads until after the funds have been spent. Planning and Zoning costs remain stable, with roughly $5,000 allocated for professional planning services and training.
Revenue Trends
The review of revenue trends indicated a growth pattern, with property and sales tax revenues trending higher than the previous year. Although sales tax figures appear low on the current report, Wallace clarified this is due to the state's standard two-month distribution lag and expects the numbers to fully normalize by August. Franchise and utility revenues remain stable, while permit and impact fee revenues showed a unique trend: building permit volume is high with 47 active permits, but total impact fee revenue is lower than previous years because fewer large-scale residential homes are being constructed.
Enterprise Funds Review
The Enterprise Funds review focused heavily on utility management. The Water Fund is currently at 80% expenditure due to an emergency well repair and several winter water main breaks. The Sewer Fund is tracking well, with plans to use impact fees to fund a recently approved $20,000 sewer meter. The Stormwater and Garbage funds remain stable; financial representative Wallace noted the upcoming expiration of the seven-year garbage contract in August and is weighing the options of extending the current agreement or seeking a new provider.
Revenue Trends
Further analysis of revenues highlighted that interest earned on bank accounts has significantly exceeded original budget projections, reaching over 100%. Wallace reviewed specific revenue from animal and business licenses, noting that late fees and home-based business applications have contributed to a slight uptick in these miscellaneous revenue categories. The increase in animal license revenue was primarily linked to late fee collections rather than an increase in the number of pets. Wallace noted that a significant number of residents paid these late fees in early 2026, causing that specific line item to exceed its original 67% fiscal year benchmark. Several new applications were processed recently which, along with renewal late fees, have created a positive variance in the miscellaneous revenue fund.
Budget Variances and Financial Outlook
Ronald Wallace clarified that the initial $1.35 million grant allocation for the $4 million Main Street reconstruction project is being scaled back to $250,000 for the current fiscal year. This adjustment ensures fiscal year alignment by reflecting only the actual anticipated expenditures, thereby preventing an inflated 'unspent' balance on the municipal books. Wallace noted that if current spending trends persist and the town avoids unforeseen liabilities or contingent expenses, the municipality will conclude the fiscal year with a favorable net surplus.
Money that Must be Spent by Fiscal Year End
Wallace addressed the $50,436 surplus that must be allocated or spent by the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. Walace made suggestions for the surplus included distributions to Public Works for equipment or the Cemetery for maintenance or replace aging fire equipment, with a final decision on the distribution to be made at the next meeting.
Council Questions and Discussion
Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen addressed a $54,000 negative variance in finance charges within the Water Fund enterprise account, which staff representative Wallace clarified as reconciliation corrections stemming from systemic billing adjustments and manual data entry errors rather than actual revenue losses. To mitigate these accounting discrepancies, Wallace recommended that town invest in a new enterprise utility billing platform to replace the current software. This matter is scheduled for further deliberation during the fiscal year budget amendment session on April 16.
Motion to Accept Quarterly Budget Amendment
Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen motioned to approve the Amended Budget for the current fiscal year, pending a formal explanation regarding the negative $54,000.00 water utility fee. Council Member Burgan made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross
MOTION PASSED
Adjournment
Council Member Burgan motioned to adjourn the Amended Budget for the Current Year. Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross
MOTION PASSED
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing auxiliary communicative aids and services for this meeting should contact the Management Services Department at 629-8701 (TTY/TDD: 711 or 888-735-5906) or by emailing town recorder at sschaefer@mantuautah.gov at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Public meetings may be held electronically in accordance with Utah Code Annotated 52-4-207 to allow Council members to participate via teleconference. The anchor location for the meeting shall be held at the Mantua Town Hall 409 North Main St, Mantua Utah 84324
Other Information
Certificate of Posting
The foregoing agenda was (1) posted on the Utah Public Notice Website created under Utah Code Section 63F1-701. (2) Town of Mantua website, and (3) posted in Town of Mantua City Office on 4/20/2026 by Sherita Schaefer - Town Recorder