Fiscal Year 2026-27 Public Utilities Budget

At a glance

• What: The Mayor's recommended Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget for the Department of Public Utilities: $427.8 million across the water, sewer, stormwater and street lighting funds, with proposed rate changes.
• Where it stands: Briefed May 5, 2026; a public hearing was set for May 19 at 7 p.m. and Council action was to be determined.
• Related: Fiscal Year 2026-27 City Budget, Public Utilities Consolidated Fee Schedule Update, Public Utilities Impact Fee Ordinance.

Detail

Austin Kimmel introduced. Laura Briefer, Lisa Tarufelli and Jason Brown presented significant generational capital investments, operational efficiencies and cost savings (including federal loans and grants), budget and rate drivers, projected revenues and expenditures, proposed rate changes and examples of monthly impacts on water, sewer, stormwater and street lighting charges.

Council Members and Briefer discussed:

• federal grants and low-interest loans to reduce costs for aging infrastructure;
• rate increases compared with other jurisdictions, given infrastructure needs and water access;
• the potential effect of not raising rates, including risks to bond ratings, long-term resilience and water security;
• Great Salt Lake protection through conservation built into the rate structure and upgrading aging infrastructure;
• declining multi-family and commercial rate impacts from separating indoor and outdoor meter adjustments;
• renewed federal partnership;
• the $20,000 General Fund contribution to the Public Utilities enterprise fund;
• projected conservation and its budget impact; and
• improving equity in street lighting service levels.

Petro asked for coordination to educate residents on utility usage and rate structures; Briefer said the department would help. Lopez Chavez left the meeting during this item. No vote.

Sources

• City Council Work Session minutes, May 5, 2026 (approved July 21, 2026): https://slc.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument/44455

Log

2026-05-05 - City Council Work Session

Department briefing on the $427.8 million budget and proposed rates.