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2026-05-19 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes (approved July 14, 2026). The minutes are not a full transcript.

  • Council work session on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, called to order at 2:23 p.m. and adjourned at 5:16 p.m.; Puy chaired. All six Council Members present: Petro, Puy, Wharton, Carlsen, Dugan and Young. Mayor Mendenhall attended.
  • Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget briefings: Economic Development (proposed reduction of about 4.4 percent), Information Management Services (3.3 percent overall reduction) and Human Resources. See Fiscal Year 2026-27 City Budget.
  • Briefing on Budget Amendment No. 5 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 with item-by-item staff presentations. Only recorded straw poll: all Council Members supported accepting Utah Inland Port Authority funding and letting the Police Department hire for 12 sworn and one civilian positions. See Fiscal Year 2025-26 Fifth Budget Amendment and Inland Port Police Funding.
  • Two Council requests for information: Puy asked for details on the proposed railroad crossing improvements on 700 South (item D-5) and on fundraising totals and revenues received (item D-11, Mayor's funding moved to the Mayor's Office).
  • Jennifer Bruno noted that a Council-added item was omitted from the staff report: $255,000 from Funding Our Future fund balance to First Step House, consistent with the Council's earlier legislative intent on Community Development Block Grant funding.
  • Board appointment interviews: Turner Bitton (District 2) for the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, term ending May 19, 2030; Puy said his name would go on that evening's Consent Agenda. The interviews for Kevin Chung (Planning Commission) and Rosemary Stum (Historic Landmark Commission) were not held.
  • Property tax impact schedule item: Puy said it was on the agenda because state code requires it.
  • Closed meeting for reasonably imminent litigation and attorney-client matters, 5:05 to 5:16 p.m. (entry moved by Wharton, seconded by Dugan; exit moved by Wharton, seconded by Dugan; both 6-0).

Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget briefings

  • Economic Development. Austin Kimmel introduced; Lorena Riffo-Jenson and Jacob Maxwell presented the proposed budget, recent successes and efficiencies, and a reduction of about 4.4 percent. Discussion covered changes to the Construction Mitigation Grant Program, the effect of Ballpark-area construction and redevelopment on nearby businesses (see Ballpark rezoning follow-up), widening eligibility beyond road construction to other City-led construction and infrastructure impacts, leveraging private-sector funding for business assistance, and recruitment and retention wins such as Western Governors University's downtown expansion.
  • Information Management Services. Kira Luke introduced; Zach Posner, Nole Walkingshaw and Chad Korb presented a 3.3 percent overall reduction, efficiencies, customer service and technology governance work, and opportunities in emerging technology and artificial intelligence. Discussion covered the proposed Innovation Fund (evaluating existing solutions first), accountability for technology projects and public engagement tools such as shapeSLC, governance balancing innovation, security and procurement, and cybersecurity for the City's computer donation program.
  • Human Resources. Kira Luke, Melissa Green and Jennifer Jeppson introduced the department and its efficiencies and cuts; David Buchanan presented the budget, citing improved compensation and benefits, restructuring and operational efficiencies. Discussion covered recruitment, retention in a competitive labor market and the reorganized Learning and Development program.
  • Property tax impact schedule. See Fiscal Year 2026-27 Property Tax Increase.

Budget Amendment No. 5, Fiscal Year 2025-26

Austin Kimmel introduced; Ben Luedtke and Andrew Reed presented adjustments for public safety staffing and equipment, grants, Capital Improvement Program projects, fund transfers and pass-through revenues. Public hearing set for June 2 with tentative action June 9, 2026. Items as recorded:

  • A-1 Reclass Airport Director of Finance pay grade (Airport, ongoing, $20,000); discussion of potential salary savings if filled below the maximum.
  • A-2 Inland Port related police expenses and revenues (General Fund one-time $2,500,000 and ongoing $2,500,000; IMS one-time $103,700; Fleet Fund one-time $748,500); straw poll unanimous in favor, see Inland Port Police Funding.
  • A-3 Workers compensation premium (General Fund ongoing, $1,731,829) and A-7 increase in workers compensation premiums (Risk Fund ongoing, $1,710,000); no discussion.
  • A-4 New Library Pass-Through fund (General Fund ongoing, $33,195,704): Bruno explained it creates a mechanism to account for library revenues and expenditures and that the funding would not be reflected in the City's property tax calculations.
  • A-5 CRA pass-through true-up (General Fund ongoing, $4,536,141) and A-6 CRA pass-through to the Library (General Fund one-time, $2,311,032): Bruno explained the transfer between the Community Reinvestment Agency and the Library Fund.
  • A-8 Fund transfer to Fleet for Police vehicles ($1,001,800, for 12 vehicles): Council Members asked why a prisoner transport was in the amendment rather than the FY 2026-27 budget; Mary Beth Thompson said available excess funding made it possible now.
  • D-1 400 South bridge funding rescope ($0); D-2 budgeting all funding for the Old Library, Plaza 349 and the Justice Court capital improvement (the minutes print the amount as "$4489,610.79", apparently a typo); D-3 Sustainability Environmental and Energy Division housekeeping and Utah Renewable Communities start-up costs (General Fund $902,186; Refuse $453,592 and $1,355,778), where Council Members questioned whether this was a new initiative and Bruno said the City was temporarily fronting costs as a guarantee and reimbursement might not be needed.
  • D-5 UDOT Railroad Safety grant-funded crossing improvements on 700 South (CIP, $101,005), related to item E-3; Puy asked for location and design details.
  • D-6 CPTED assessments, new street lights and other improvements ($200,000); Andrew Johnston said the funding would support law enforcement efforts and address safety concerns without affecting next year's budget.
  • D-7 Impact fee excess capacity and interest income transfer ($1,814,796.04 to the General Fund; $443,705.06 to CIP); D-8 CIP transfer to General Fund correction ($6,786,000); D-9 General Obligation Series 2026 Bonds (debt service $1,062,474; CIP $49,336,400); D-10 UDOT Green Bike expansion CIP budget ($895,004); D-11 moving Mayor's funding from Non-Departmental to the Mayor's Office ($580,000); D-12 moving State ARPA funds from the Grant Fund to Public Utilities ($2,000,000); G-1 Outdoor Recreation Initiative City Creek Daylighting Project ($600,000).

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