Magna's 2027 budget papers show two totals, and its August report a $90,000 gap
Magna's June budget schedules list Fund 60 at $16,377,237 and an updated $14,513,185. The city's August financial report keeps $14,513,185 in revenue but shows $14,603,185 in budgeted spending, with a larger special-events line.
Continuing story: Auditing Magna
The fiscal 2027 budget schedules attached to Magna's budget ordinance in the council's June 9 packet show two columns for Fund 60, the city's main fund: "FY2027 Budget" at $16,377,237 and "FY2027 Budget updated" at $14,513,185, each balanced. [1]
The posted copy of Ordinance 2026-O-10 says it was adopted June 9, 2026 and certifies the attached budget as final. It is a scan, and its signature block shows five aye votes. The council's approved June 9 minutes, also scanned, record the motion to adopt the ordinance passing unanimously, 5-0. [3][7]
In the minutes, Accounting Manager Daniel Hoffman is recorded as saying the budget presented was unchanged from the tentative version the council had approved earlier, and as summarizing projected revenues of about $16.3 million. During the hearing, council members discussed line-item changes that had been approved before, including updated wage lines and the removal or adjustment of some administrative allocations, and staff confirmed that the updated budget column reflected them. The minutes do not say which column the $16.3 million figure describes, and the Ledger has not reconciled the two schedules. [7]
What changed between the columns
The $1,864,052 difference falls entirely in the administration section. Wages fall from $850,602 to $500,000, employee benefits from $279,950 to $250,000, the Webster Center line from $790,000 to $15,000 and non-classified expenses from $708,500 to zero. The administration total falls from $4,064,737 to $2,200,685. [1]
Both columns list the same $9,387,501 contribution from Fund 60 to the general fund. [1]
The August report
The financial report for July 1 through Aug. 31, 2026, in the council's Oct. 13 packet, uses $14,513,185 as the Fund 60 revenue budget and $14,603,185 as the expenditure budget. [2]
Its contributions and special events line carries a $235,000 budget. The June schedule listed $145,000 for that line in both fiscal 2027 columns. [2][1]
The Aug. 11 council packet contains no budget amendment, the Sept. 22 agenda lists none and the Sept. 8 minutes record none. The Ledger did not find an amendment covering the change in the records reviewed. [4][5][6]
Fund balance
The same report shows Fund 60's fund balance at $4,536,679.70 on Aug. 31, 2026: $1,608,933.65 unassigned, $1,976,496.05 assigned to capital and $951,250 restricted for corridor preservation. Separately, $816,115.64 in restricted cash is offset by $816,015.64 in performance bonds payable. [2]
Budget columns are plans, not actual spending. The $1,864,052 difference is between two proposed versions, not a saving or loss. The August report is marked for management use only and is unaudited.
Sources
- Magna City Council · June 9, 2026 supporting documents (Ordinance 2026-O-10, R2026-33)
- Magna City Council · Oct. 13, 2026 supporting documents (financial report July 1–Aug. 31, 2026)
- Magna City · Ordinance 2026-O-10 adopting the FY2026-27 budget (posted copy)
- Magna City Council · Aug. 11, 2026 agenda with supporting documents
- Utah Public Notice Website · Magna City Council meeting notice, Sept. 22, 2026
- Magna City Council · Sept. 8, 2026 meeting minutes (final draft)
- Magna City Council · June 9, 2026 minutes (approved)
Reporting by The Utah Ledger from the public records above. AI-assisted, checked against those records.