Summit County's 2027 budget plan adds 13.5 positions, about $2 million

Summit County staff are proposing 13.5 new positions, costing about $2 million, in the 2027 county budget, according to a presentation posted for the County Council's Oct. 28 work session. The council's agenda lists a 2027 budget discussion by Shayne Scott and Matt Leavitt. ^[1][2]

The presentation lists the largest increases as the new positions, $2.9 million for cost-of-living and merit raises, and a $150,000 employee longevity bonus program. The bonuses would be $750 at five years of service for 41 employees, $1,500 at 10 years for 16, $2,500 at 15 years for 14, $3,500 at 20 years for 7 and $5,000 at 25 years for 7. The county says the personnel items will get more detail at the council's Nov. 4 meeting. ^[1]

Other increases include $600,000 for state grants for infrastructure and small businesses, with another $400,000 awarded on a reimbursement basis, and $78,000 for a study of a continuing care retirement community, which could be paid for with grants. The list also has $65,000 for an arts board employee paid with transient room tax money in partnership with Park City, $75,000 for five more remote drop-off sites under the waste management plan and a $435,000 increase for emergency medical services, a three-year cumulative inflation adjustment under an agreement. ^[1]

The county also plans to continue 2026 commitments: $360,000 in childcare grants plus $54,000 estimated for employee childcare assistance, $120,000 for nonprofit grants, $250,000 for the Housing Authority, $1.5 million for ongoing criminal litigation and $826,000 for the Emergency Services Sales Tax grant program. ^[1]

The presentation says that program awarded $850,000 in 2026 out of $1.4 million requested in six applications. Awards went to a search and rescue tow vehicle ($91,000), a South Summit Fire District fleet replacement ($200,000) and a North Summit Fire District station remodel ($397,000). Others were Park City Fire District wildland chipping ($81,000), Kamas City Police Department improvements ($39,000) and a regional emergency response project shared by the sheriff, Park City Police and Park City Fire ($41,000). ^[1]

The budget schedule runs through December: personnel and new positions on Nov. 4, fund details at a special meeting on Nov. 9, special service districts and capital projects on Nov. 18, final decisions and a Basin public hearing on Dec. 2, and a final public hearing at the courthouse on Dec. 9. The county did not post a summary of the Oct. 28 discussion as of Nov. 1. ^[1]