Proposed Ogden tax increase aims to fund mental health services for first responders

OGDEN, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Mental health has been a key issue discussed across the country, but the mental health of first responders can be lost in the shuffle. Deputy Chief Mike Slater of the Ogden City Fire Department said Utah State House Bill 378 has done a lot to expand resources.

The bill — sponsored by Rep. Ryan Wilcox — includes a peer support team for responders to talk amongst themselves and a critical incident stress management program to respond within 48 hours of a traumatic call. It also includes an on-call mental health counselor.

“He is available for all firefighters and police officers that are required to meet with him once a year just to make sure they’re doing okay,” Slater explained. “And it’s just like a physical checkup. We do a mental checkup with every one of our employees.”

When answering a call, it can take more than just a physical toll, as some things first responders have to see while on duty can leave a mental scar.

“Some stuff that you don’t even see on TV. Suicides, extremely horrible car accidents, burn victims. We see it all,” Slater detailed.

With that potential trauma, first responders are expected to adjust and move on to the next call.

“They’re expected to perform at a high level. And a lot of times they don’t want to take that home to their family,” Slater said. “So, they kind of just swallow it and deal with it.”

Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski proposed a .94% property tax increase as part of his budget proposal. The hope is to use the $184,840 raised from the increase to fund mental health resources for public safety employees in the city.

Odgen’s Chief Administrative Officer Mara Brown said the city was able to fund the services through state grants from H.B. 387. But now, the city doesn’t qualify and has to fund the services on its own.

“We felt it was appropriate to tie those funds to a new need that the city has, which, in this case specifically, to provide for ongoing mental health services for public safety as well as their families. Also, retirees get to take advantage of those mental health resources as well,” Brown explained.

She also said that tax rates are tied to the city’s growth and rise in property values. If they would maintain the same rate, the budget would call for a 5.36% tax increase — a larger bump than the mayor’s proposal.

Ultimately it is up to the city council to decide. They could approve a higher rate to not only fund the mental health services, but also other needs. The public is still able to provide input on the budget.

Ogden City Council is scheduled to meet again on July 9. Voting on the final budget will be held on August 6.

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