See YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@OgdenValleyIncorporated/videos
Uncertified election results (found
here):
Mayor: Janet Wampler
Dist 1 (Liberty): Tia Shaw
Dist 2 (Nordic – Lakeside): Peggy Dooling-Baker
Dist 3 (Wolf Creek): Kay Hoogland
Dist 4 (Eden – Middle Fork): Chad Booth
Dist 5 (South Fork): Don Hickman
See the districts page.
The official city website is not yet operational. Below information is taken from emails from city officials.
Ogden Valley City has not yet finalized the organization’s vision statement, but our values align with the General Plan drafted in 2016. Your new city council is committed to preserving our agricultural heritage, open landscapes, and rural character while embracing transparency, innovation, and responsible growth. The city’s long-term vision centers on stewardship — protecting what makes the valley special while planning thoughtfully for the future.
Becoming a city means Ogden Valley will now govern itself locally. Instead of Weber County making decisions about land use, planning, and community priorities, a locally elected mayor and city council (people who live in the Valley) guide the city’s policies and direction. Daily life remains largely the same—roads are plowed, trash is collected, utilities and emergency services continue—but decision-making authority is now local with regard to land use and a host of municipal services.
After their election and before the city’s official certification, the Utah Code gives the mayor and council specific powers to prepare the city for launch. In only six weeks, our newly elected officials adopted ordinances, entered into contracts, secured insurance, prepared for financing, and appointed a planning commission. Once certification occurs, the city can hold its first official meetings, activate communication systems, and begin formal operations. Essential services will continue uninterrupted through agreements with Weber County and other contracted providers.
Snowplowing and road maintenance responsibilities will continue to be carried out by Weber County, under and interlocal agreement with the city:
For road questions, residents may contact Weber County Roads at 801-399-8440.
Under an interlocal agreement with Weber County, business licensing continues through the County’s existing system. We’re happy to report that local businesses can now continue obtaining business licenses and alcohol permits through Weber County, just as before. Renewals are available online (link
here). It is our understanding that, as in the past, the County will not seek penalties until it sends a warning email.
Trash service continues through Waste Management under a contract with the city. Recycling remains available through Ace Recycling. Existing customers stay enrolled automatically with Waste Management and Ace. New customers will need to sign up directly with each company.
Incorporation alone does not create new taxes. The two principal forms of tax – sales and property taxes – have different procedures for adopting changes:
The council has already adopted that standard 1% local option sales tax, which is the same as the sales tax in effect before incorporation.
The City Council’s financial advisors have informed them that additional sales and use taxes are necessary to start up the city and keep it on a steady financial footing for its first years of operations. For that reason, the new city council is considering two forms of new sales and use taxes: the Transient Room Tax and the Municipal Utilities Tax. Each is described in detail below.
The state‑mandated feasibility study projected that Ogden Valley City could operate without new taxes. However, the study projections were based on unusually high post‑COVID sales‑tax data, when:
The study assumed these conditions would continue and used a 9% growth rate, but they did not. As the economy normalized, actual revenues fell well below the study’s assumptions, at just under 4%.
Additionally, because Ogden Valley was previously unincorporated, the true cost of services was blended with other county areas, and the county’s general fund often subsidized services the county provided to the valley. Now that the city must cover its own costs, actual expenses and revenues are only now becoming clearer.
Inflation has also had the effect of increasing operating costs over the estimates contained in the study.
The city’s new financial advisors (Zions Public Finance and K&C CPAs) have confirmed that the city faces a significant revenue gap—including an estimated $1.25 million shortfall over 2026–2028 due to the study’s overly optimistic 9% sales‑tax growth assumption. A more realistic growth rate is about 3%.
To obtain startup financing, fund essential services, and maintain financial stability, additional revenue sources are required.
The city is operating as leanly as possible:
These and other economizing measures are keeping overhead low while the city establishes operations.
Municipal Energy Tax
○ Electric: 6% of a $132 bill ≈ $7.92/month
○ Natural gas: 6% of a $45 bill ≈ $2.70/month
○ Total: ≈ $10.62/month for a typical household
Examples of 6% tax on any utility bill:
$50 → $3
$100 → $6
$200 → $12
$300 → $18
$400 → $24
Cities over 5,000 almost universally adopt the Municipal Energy Tax because it is one of the few revenue tools available to general‑fund operations.
According to our research, every Utah municipality with a population of 5,000 or greater imposes the Municipal Energy Sales & Use Tax.
The energy tax is the only significant revenue source that can be enacted immediately, which is essential because:
○ Sales tax: March
○ Property tax: December 2026
To bridge this gap, the city needs a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN)—a short‑term startup loan. Lenders require proof that the city will have reliable revenue to repay the loan. Without the energy tax, the city cannot demonstrate repayment capacity.
Without the tax:
○ Road maintenance
○ Snow removal
○ Public safety coordination
Even if long‑term revenues are sufficient, the city cannot function without startup financing.
No. The tax may be repealed if the city later secures stable revenue sources that fully replace the funds needed to support services and meet financial obligations. However, virtually all cities our size and above use this tax.
Low‑income households may qualify for assistance through Utah’s HEAT Program, which provides bill credits and crisis support for eligible residents, with priority for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children.
Residents are encouraged to:
Work Sessions: Mondays, 2:00–5:00 p.m. (starting January 5)
NOTE THE FIRST MEETING ON JANUARY 5 WILL BE FROM 12 PM TO 2 PM. WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THE PROPOSED MUNICIPAL ENERGY TAX AND PROPOSED BUDGET
Council Meetings: First and third Tuesdays, 6:00–8:00 p.m. (starting January 6)
Location: Huntsville Town Hall, 7474 E 200 S, Huntsville
Location: Maintenance Building, 167 S 7500 E, Huntsville (behind Town Hall)
Hours:
During the startup period, the office will initially be staffed by the
mayor and council members who can assist with public information and resident questions.
The city has adopted secure, government-compliant email addresses. Please use these for all communications:
Mayor
• Janet Wampler — jwampler@ogdenvalleyut.org
City Council
• District 1 – Tia Shaw — tshaw@ogdenvalleyut.org
• District 2 – Peggy Dooling Baker — pdoolingbaker@ogdenvalleyut.org
• District 3 – Kay Hoogland — khoogland@ogdenvalleyut.org
• District 4 – Chad Booth — cbooth@ogdenvalleyut.org
• District 5 – Don Hickman — dhickman@ogdenvalleyut.org
The best way to get involved is to fill out our volunteer form.
The historical FAQs are here.
Email questions to valleyfolks2024@gmail.com.