OGDEN — City officials are weighing a shift in policy that calls for consideration of property tax hikes every other year.

Part of the aim is to preclude the need for sudden, large hikes brought on by inaction as the years pass on whether to boost taxes, said Glenn Symes, a senior policy analyst for the Ogden City Council. The policy shift is contained in a proposed statement of financial principles the City Council is to consider at the body’s regular meeting on Tuesday, as deliberations for the 2022-2023 spending plan lurch forward.

Whatever the case, if the council approves the change — a point of discussion for several years — it doesn’t necessarily mean a tax hike every other year is a foregone conclusion. “Whether they do or not, that’s up to the council,” Symes said.

The new policy would just pave the way for more regular consideration of boosting taxes. Special truth-in-taxation hearings have to be held if a city or other taxing entity is considering a tax hike above what’s allowed by state guidelines. That process requires planning, also figuring in the proposal.

The Ogden City Council last approved a tax hike above and beyond what’s allowed in state law on Aug. 7, 2018. That hike, for fiscal year 2018-2019, generated an extra $1.08 million in tax revenue for the city, bolstering property tax collections to $13.29 million, up from $12.21 million, what collections would have been without an increase, according to data maintained by the state.

According to city paperwork from that year, funds from the increase were used largely to bolster the pay of police and firefighters and to help cover operational costs at Union Station.

Whether city leaders seek a boost in property taxes for 2022-2023 remains to be seen. A budget, or tentative plan at least, has to be crafted by the end of June, ahead of the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

“I think it’s to be determined,” Symes said. “I think it’s a consideration, but we haven’t gotten final word on whether we’re going to do it this year.”

The council on Tuesday will also consider a separate series of budgeting goals and guidelines that, among other things, put a focus on making sure employee compensation stays on par with pay offered in other cities. “Therefore, the council will consider cost-of-living increases as necessary to make employee compensation competitive,” read the proposed guidelines.

The guidelines also put a focus on moving the debate forward over whether to rebuild or revamp the Marshall White Center, a simmering point of controversy. Specifically, they call for identifying the funding source and project scope “for the renovation or replacement of the Marshall White Community Center.”

Broadly, the budgeting guidelines also contain language aimed at making sure the city’s diversity is factored in programming. “As an overarching goal, the council wants to ensure that the diversity of the community is reflected in all the city’s programs and services. Each of the strategic directives should be considered with this goal in mind,” they read.

Tuesday’s City Council meeting starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and will be held in council chambers at the municipal building, 2549 Washington Blvd.

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