Lehi residents who want a say in how much the city's top administrators get paid next year have another chance. The Lehi City Council will hold a public hearing on proposed FY2027 pay increases for executive municipal officers on Tuesday, July 28, at 7 p.m. at the Lehi City Council Chambers, 131 N. 100 E.

It's the third time the council has opened this topic to public comment. Previous hearings were held May 26 and June 9, both referencing the same supporting document titled "FY27 Executive Municipal Officers Compensation SB91.pdf." The specific dollar amounts or percentage increases proposed for individual positions are not detailed in the public notice; a supporting document referenced in the agenda was not available for review.

Who qualifies as an executive officer?

Under Utah's Senate Bill 91, passed in 2024, municipalities must hold a public hearing before adopting any budget that raises pay for executive officers. The law defines those officers broadly: city administrators, assistant administrators, city attorneys, department heads, and their chief deputies all qualify.

In Lehi, that group includes City Administrator Jason Walker, Finance Director Dean Lundell, and City Attorney Ryan Wood, among others.

Budget context

The hearing comes amid a broader debate over city employee wages. Mayor Paul Binns proposed a FY2027 budget that included a 4% wage increase for all city employees. Some council members pushed to reduce that to 3%, which would save $355,000 and allow new staff positions without a tax increase, according to the Lehi Free Press.

Council member Heather Newall opposed the reduction. "I will not support a budget that reduces city wages," Newall said at the May 26 council meeting. "We can't take part of that to pay for new positions."

Lehi employees have traditionally received 4% annual raises, except in 2020 during the pandemic. Walker described the city's approach to compensation at the same May 26 meeting as "playing whack-a-mole," catching one area up while another falls behind.

The executive officer pay increases subject to the July 28 hearing are a separate matter from the broader employee wage debate, though both fall under the same FY2027 budget cycle.

How to participate

The hearing is part of the council's regular Tuesday, July 28 meeting at 7 p.m. Residents may attend in person at 131 N. 100 E., Lehi. Those needing disability accommodations can contact the City Recorder at 385-201-2269. Meeting agendas are posted at lehi-ut.gov/government/meetings-and-agendas and may be amended up to 24 hours before the meeting.