The Utah Ledger's Auditing Vernal series follows Vernal City's money through its own public records. The fiscal 2025 audit shows a $5.97 million general fund balance, $17.5 million in revenue bonds and a deficit in the capital projects fund. The fiscal 2027 general fund budget is $15.04 million.
Vernal's council on Sept. 16 awarded the 500 South mill-and-overlay project to Burdick Materials for $1,599,895, the low of three bids and below an engineer's estimate of about $2 million. Councilmember Randel Mills recused himself, citing a conflict of interest.
Vernal's council on Sept. 16 awarded the 500 South mill-and-overlay project to Burdick Materials for $1,599,895, the low of three bids and below an engineer's estimate of about $2 million. Councilmember Randel Mills recused himself, citing a conflict of interest.
Vernal's council voted in June to let projects already under construction apply for downtown façade grants. Minutes say about $1 million remains of roughly $2.25 million first made available. The fiscal 2027 budget sets aside $200,000 for the grants, drawn from the downtown fund's balance.
Graphic: The Utah Ledger · Original graphic · The Utah Ledger
Between June and September 2026, Vernal's council approved three change orders and a work change directive on Condie Construction's 100 North water and sewer contract. Change Order 1 alone raised the contract from $4.84 million to $5.40 million. The engineer agreed to credit the city's share of a design error.
Graphic: The Utah Ledger · Original graphic · The Utah Ledger
Vernal's council approved two bond resolutions for one water and sewer project in 2026: a June resolution pledging sales tax and an August one pledging utility revenues. By the Sept. 2 hearing, staff described $4,517,000 in grants and $1,937,000 in bonds at 0.5% over 15 years.
Vernal's fiscal 2025 audit reports three findings: spending above budget appropriations for a third straight year, a $2.93 million deficit in the capital projects fund, and account reconciliations done months late. The auditor said a prior finding on an excess general fund balance was corrected.
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