Council gets budget briefings on capital projects, fire and ARPA money, and backs $500 reloads for Salt Laker Card holders
June 1, 2021, 3:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting
In a long budget work session, the council heard the administration's updates, reviewed the $34.7 million capital improvement proposal, the Fire Department budget and open budget issues. All members present supported reloading $500 onto existing Salt Laker Cards and giving nonprofits $80,000 to reach additional people. The council did not hold the interview with Justin Rodriguez, the Chair's report or the executive director's report.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall updated the council on COVID-19 (west-side vaccination rates, fully vaccinated totals, pandemic leave use) and on policing, saying the police department had lost 15 officers to Taylorsville Police, which offered $8 to $15 more, and gave staffing levels. Andrew Johnston reported on shelter occupancy and capacity, outreach, continuing vaccinations by Volunteers of America and Kayak Court. Council members and Police Chief Mike Brown discussed physical training and written tests for candidates and background checks.
Item 2 · Presentation
Updates on racial equity and policing
Discussed
Allison Rowland said the next Commission on Racial Equity in Policing meeting would be June 2 at 5 p.m.
Item 3 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 9 for fiscal year 2020-21 follow-up
Discussed
Ben Luedtke said this was the second briefing, with a hearing set for that evening. The council's recommendation was to reimburse the fund balance from American Rescue Plan Act money for eligible items. Council members and staff discussed why reimbursements to the Public Utilities and Sustainability enterprise funds were not recommended; staff will answer in writing. They also discussed how to spend $680,284 for the Salt Laker Card. In a straw poll all members present supported reloading $500 on current cardholders' cards and giving community nonprofits the remaining $80,000 to reach additional people.
- Budget$680,284
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021-22 budget: Capital Improvement Program overview
Discussed
Staff outlined the capital program timeline: project-specific funding must be approved by September 1, with a CIP-dedicated hearing July 13. The proposed CIP is $34.7 million; there were 72 applications requesting $60,584,686 (24 from residents, 9 Engineering, 3 Facilities, 4 Fire, 17 Parks and Public Lands, 15 Transportation). Staff covered bonding options and the Resident Advisory Board's scoring. Members asked for written answers, the timeline for allocating ARPA funds and options to increase CIP funding.
- Budget$34.7 million
Item 5 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021-22 budget: Fire Department
Discussed
Fire Chief Karl Lieb reviewed budget priorities: Emergency Management Phase II ($236,448), reimbursement for fire/medical response at the airport ($352,300), Emergency Management Office build-out ($293,067), Medical Response Team expansion ($320,223, with equipment request reduced by $160,000), a community health case manager ($84,076) and battery-powered extrication equipment ($70,000). Jennifer Bruno noted Funding Our Future dollars could buy fire apparatus. Members discussed Medical Response Team procedures, added positions and recovering costs for service to the University of Utah.
Item 6 · Other
Previous years' legislative intents and interim study items
Discussed
Staff reported on the administration's progress on legislative intents. Follow-ups included the park ranger program and police role in park enforcement, decriminalization of ordinances, golf course concessions and zoning options, and a briefing on the Housing Trust Fund loan process. Council Member Mano suggested grouping intents by theme; staff agreed.
Item 7 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021-22 budget: unresolved issues
Discussed
Jennifer Bruno listed open budget questions: guidance on $11.4 million in ARPA revenue, public safety response diversification, capital investment, employee compensation, new positions, department reorganization, possible conditional appropriations, a Funding Our Future tracking ordinance, boarded-building permit fees, the trips-to-transit program and consolidated golf issues. The Tax Commission's final numbers were due June 8. Members and department heads discussed which positions and ARPA-eligible items to fund.
- Grant$11.4 million
Item 8 · Appointment
Interview: Joshua Isbell, Police Civilian Review Board
Discussed
The council interviewed Joshua Isbell for a term on the Police Civilian Review Board ending September 2, 2024. His name was on that evening's consent agenda.
Item 10 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021-22 budget: Finance Department (written briefing)
No action
Written briefing only; no discussion was held.
What residents said
Police staffingAmerican Rescue Plan Act moneyCapital improvement funding