Tooele County Council approved its 2026 fiscal budget Dec. 9 after a lengthy discussion about personnel requests, one‑time projects and fund corrections.

County Manager Andy Welch told the council the manager’s office would transfer $19,000,000 from the general fund to the capital projects fund as part of a five‑year capital improvement plan identifying parks, roads and emergency‑services projects. The council opened a public hearing on the transfer, heard advice that funds moved to a capital fund should be tied to a plan and then adopted Resolution 2025‑30 to make the transfer.

Discussion of the 2026 budget (Resolution 2025‑32 as presented) focused on several remaining personnel changes and one‑time additions. Staff proposed converting an event coordinator position from part time to full time, moving an internal auditor position from 0.49 full‑time equivalent (FTE) to full time, increasing two Meals on Wheels positions from 0.25 to 0.5 FTE and upgrading two food‑preparation positions from 0.25 to 0.5 FTE. Council members considered each change individually.

On the internal auditor position, Councilman Thomas moved to retain the role at 0.49 FTE. The council approved that motion 4–1, keeping the internal auditor at part time rather than converting it to a full‑time post.

The council approved the Meals on Wheels and food‑preparation increases and included them in an omnibus amendment introduced by Councilman Wardle. That amendment also adopted a $400,000 administration‑building landscaping project (including ADA access improvements), reduced a requested America250 celebration package to $150,000 and directed $75,000 to come from tourism funds and $75,000 from parks and recreation special‑events funds. The manager also recommended adding $300,000 to a self‑insurance reserve; council approved that change as part of the amendment.

Andy Welch said the county would correct a transposed airport fund figure: pavement maintenance revenue should be $360,000 and maintenance expense $400,000; council accepted those corrections and the package amendment.

After adopting the Wardle amendment, the council voted to adopt the 2026 budget as amended (Resolution 2025‑32).

The manager said the county will begin a new pay compensation study immediately; "She's given us a contract. I'll sign that contract tomorrow," Welch said. That study had been raised earlier in public comment, where Tooele County Recorder Jerry Houghton urged the council not to pause legitimate earned upgrades while the study is prepared.

The council concluded the night having approved the budget package, several position‑level changes, capital project dollars and a trimmed special‑events allocation. Procedural next steps noted by staff include implementing the budget amendments and moving forward with the pay‑compensation study.