Holladay council lets ranked-choice voting ordinance lapse and approves tentative 2021-22 budget with first property tax increase in 21 years

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item IV · Public hearing

   Public hearing: ranked-choice voting for the 2021 municipal election

   Continued

   A representative of Ranked Choice Voting said Payson and Vineyard adopted it under a state pilot and that 86% of surveyed voters found it easy to use. Council Member Fotheringham noted a hearing was not legally required, Council Member Quinn raised language-access concerns, Council Member Gibbons supported it citing participation (1,211 primary votes versus 1,762 general election votes in his district in 2019), and Council Members Petersen and Durham wanted more time and public input. The hearing closed at 6:47 p.m.

2. Item V · City code

   Ordinance 2021-11: Ranked-choice voting

   No action

   Council Member Gibbons proposed not voting on the item. No vote was taken, so the ordinance did not pass and ranked-choice voting will not be used in the upcoming election.

   Council Member Dan Gibbons proposed not taking a vote

3. Item VII · Budget

   Resolution 2021-13: Tentative 2021-22 budgets and June 3 hearing

   Approved · 5-0

   The city manager said the tentative budget adds about $2.3 million in revenue, enabling a bond for road work and the city's first capital improvement plan, and includes the first property tax increase in 21 years. A truth in taxation hearing is set for August and final adoption for June 17.

   • Budget$2.30 million Added revenue from property tax increase (about). Paid from Property tax

   Moved by Council Member Sabrina Petersen, seconded by Council Member Paul Fotheringham. Vote: 5-0; the mayor was excused

4. Item VIII · Contract

   Resolution 2021-14: Interlocal cooperation agreement, Community Renewable Energy Program

   Approved · 5-0

   The council approved the interlocal agreement for the community renewable energy program.

   Moved by Council Member Paul Fotheringham, seconded by Council Member Dan Gibbons. Vote: 5-0; the mayor was excused

5. Item XIII-a · Budget

   Work meeting: small business grant and Holla Dollars

   Discussed

   Holla Dollars vouchers of about $35 to $45 per household are expected July-December 2021 with an updated budget of $451,000 and administrative costs of $15,000 to $20,000. The small business grant (up to $5,000) was originally estimated near $500,000 for about 100 businesses; the actual budget was about $230,000 for about 45 businesses.

   • Budget$451,000 Holla Dollars household vouchers
   • Grant$230,000 Small business grants of up to $5,000 to about 45 businesses

6. Item XIII-b · City code

   Work meeting: accessory dwelling unit plan and Bird scooter trial

   Discussed

   A state law requires internal ADUs in at least 75% of residential zones with a decision on any exclusion area due by October 1, 2021. Council Member Petersen favored an exclusion area, wanted a permit and annual fee, and asked staff to analyze lots over 6,000 square feet. Bird proposed 75 scooters for a 6-8 month trial; council members did not support it, citing limited destinations, congestion and enforcement. No votes.

What residents said

Ranked-choice voting ballots and language accessSpeeding and exhaust noise on 6200 South and 2300 EastProperty tax increases for fixed-income residentsConditional use permit notice accuracy

Three residents raised speeding, exhaust noise and night racing on 6200 South and 2300 East and criticized the Highland Drive resurfacing and property tax increases. At the ranked-choice voting hearing two speakers opposed it (citing an average exhausted-ballot rate of 10.92% across 96 races and a split informal survey) and two supported it (citing the League of Women Voters position and that an exhausted ballot can be an intentional choice).