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2026-05-28 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes of the work session (approved July 21, 2026). The minutes are not a full transcript. Meeting materials are posted at data.slc.gov.

  • Work session on Thursday, May 28, called to order at 3:37 p.m. Present: Petro, Puy (Chair), Wharton, Dugan and Young. Absent: Carlsen. Mayor Erin Mendenhall attended.
  • Briefed the Resolution of Intention to designate the Sugar House Business District 2027 special assessment area (three years, with possible renewal); tentative action June 9. See Sugar House Business District special assessment area.
  • Budget briefings on Non-Departmental, Fleet Fund and a Public Utilities follow-up with a "Utility Bill 101" video and rate estimator. See Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Briefings and Public Utilities Consolidated Fee Schedule Update.
  • Interview held for Rosemary Stum (Historic Landmark Commission, District 5, term ending June 2, 2030); Puy said the name would go on the next Consent Agenda.
  • Unresolved budget issues: staff will bring two scenarios, with and without a property tax increase. Young asked to add staffing for a third Community Health Access Team (CHAT); Puy asked to add Park Ranger reductions, the IMS innovation set-aside, Capital Improvement Program reductions and the cost of administering the Hive Pass. See Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Unresolved Items.
  • Executive Director report: Jennifer Bruno explained a new multi-step state-law process for filling the District Four vacancy and a prepared resolution on the voting method; ties are resolved by lot, with a coin toss if the second-round vote ties. See District Four Council Vacancy Appointment.
  • Closed meeting 4:23 p.m. to 5:01 p.m.: Moved by Wharton, seconded by Dugan to enter closed meeting for strategy on the purchase, exchange or lease of real property, attorney-client matters and a labor negotiations update, 5-0 (Carlsen absent). Moved by Dugan, seconded by Wharton to exit, 5-0. Adjourned 5:01 p.m. Chair report: none.

Sugar House special assessment area

Austin Kimmel introduced. Colin Gibbs said staff requested adoption of a resolution of intention and welcomed representatives of the Sugar House Chamber and Zions Public Finance. Liz Ward (economic development project manager) reviewed the background, boundaries, tentative budget, activities, statutory protest requirements and timeline; the area would run three years with potential renewal. Members compared it with the Downtown assessment area (same process at a smaller scale), noted the request was community-driven with the City stewarding the process, and voiced support. The resolution was adopted June 9 and the process later ended; see Sugar House Business District special assessment area.

Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Non-Departmental

Kimmel and Mary Beth Thompson introduced; Lisa Hunt reviewed totals and transfers. Bruno said much of the apparent Police Department increase is existing cost moved from Non-Departmental. Fire impact fees service debt on two fire stations financed through the Local Building Authority; some Capital Improvement Program funding would be considered later through the proposed property tax. See Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Briefings.

Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Public Utilities and Utility Bill 101

Jesse Stewart introduced a video explaining water, sewer, stormwater, street lighting, waste and recycling and franchise fee charges. Requests: Puy, a how-to video for the rate estimator; Petro, plain-terms education on bill measurements; Wharton, a flat sewer rate for apartment units. See Public Utilities Consolidated Fee Schedule Update.

Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Fleet Fund

Sylvia Richards introduced; Jorge Chamorro and Julie Crookston presented. The budget reduces General Fund maintenance support, so some non-cost-effective repairs on older vehicles would not be done. Members raised fuel price uncertainty and deferred maintenance from underfunded replacements.

Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: unresolved issues

Bruno reminded Members to send additional items. Discussion covered the staff draft list, keeping the Hive Pass, a larger fuel budget, possible labor agreement impacts, YouthCity funding, a third CHAT, Park Ranger reductions, the IMS innovation set-aside and Capital Improvement Program cuts (Capital Improvement Program). The Property Tax Impact Schedule item was posted because State law requires it, with no discussion (Fiscal Year 2026-27 Property Tax Increase).

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