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2026-05-12 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes of the work session (approved July 14, 2026). The minutes are not a full transcript. Meeting materials are posted at data.slc.gov.

  • Work session called to order at 2:23 p.m. Present: Petro, Puy (Chair), Wharton, Carlsen, Dugan and Young. Jennifer Bruno, Lehua Weaver and Nick Tarbet represented Council staff; Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Rachel Otto, Lindsey Nikola and Megan Yuill represented the Administration.
  • Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget briefings: Administration overview and revenue update (consolidated), Finance Department, Justice Court, and the Property Tax Impact Schedule (Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Briefings, Fiscal Year 2026-27 City Budget, Fiscal Year 2026-27 Property Tax Increase). The Council Staff overview and the Sustainability Department and Refuse Fund briefing were moved to future meetings.
  • Administration overview: the agreement with the Utah Inland Port Authority provides reimbursement for 13 proposed Police Department positions; possible revenue measures included short-term rental licensing, parking revenues and a future transportation utility fee.
  • Justice Court: increased staffing and operating requests tied to rising criminal caseloads; Puy requested a follow-up briefing on Justice Court facility needs and efficiency.
  • Property Tax Impact Schedule: Jennifer Bruno explained new State public notice and adoption requirements; informational only. All budget information is on the City's Budget Hub (link.slc.gov/slcfy27).
  • Closed meeting: Moved by Wharton, seconded by Dugan to enter closed meeting for the character, professional competence or health of an individual, collective bargaining strategy, litigation strategy and attorney-client matters; AYE Petro, Puy, Wharton, Carlsen, Dugan, Young; passed 6-0. Closed meeting ran 4:07 p.m. to 5:12 p.m. Moved by Dugan, seconded by Wharton to exit closed meeting; 6-0. Adjourned 5:12 p.m.
  • Not held: Chair and Vice Chair report and Executive Director report.

Administration overview and revenue update

Mary Beth Thompson and Lisa Hunt presented the Mayor's recommended budget and revenue projections: proposed reductions, revenue assumptions, strategic investments and the proposed property tax increase. Discussion covered General Fund revenue and expenditure projections (sales tax trends, property tax revenue, fund balance assumptions), revenue-generating measures, proposed uses of the property tax increase (public safety, community services, infrastructure and Capital Improvement Program projects), vacancy savings, position eliminations, efficiencies and reducing reliance on one-time funds, the Utah Inland Port Authority reimbursement for 13 Police positions, and Truth in Taxation implementation. The separate revenue update item was folded into this presentation. Details: Fiscal Year 2026-27 City Budget and Fiscal Year 2026-27 Property Tax Increase.

Finance Department budget

Thompson, Hunt and Ben Luedtke presented accomplishments including long-term financial planning tools and the new Workday human resources, payroll and financial operations software, proposed reductions and staffing changes from process and technology improvements, and transparency measures including investment advisor fee reporting and a new Property Tax Pass-Through Fund. Details: Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Briefings.

Justice Court budget

Michael Sanders introduced increased funding requests. Presiding Judge Jojo Liu and Valeta Hitchcock presented staffing and operational requests tied to rising criminal caseloads. Discussion covered large increases in criminal filings and hearings, coordination with the Prosecutor's Office and the Legal Defenders Association, and property tax-supported funding for the Court and related criminal justice work. Details: Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Briefings.

Property Tax Impact Schedule

Bruno reviewed the schedule and the new State requirements for notice and for adopting a property tax increase. Lehua Weaver noted all information is public on the Budget Hub. Details: Fiscal Year 2026-27 Property Tax Increase.

Sources