Council gets FY 2022-23 budget briefings and backs 20 mph default speed limit in straw poll

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Presentation

   Administration update: COVID-19, engagement, homelessness

   Discussed

   Mayor Mendenhall and Chief of Staff Rachel Otto reported that Utah cases were rising fourth-fastest in the nation, up 169% in two weeks, while wastewater trends were stable, and that reporting was focused on a possible summer and fall surge from new variants. Staff listed planning outreach (Ballpark Station Area Plan, shelter zoning, Northpoint small area plan, accessory dwelling unit changes, affordable housing incentives) and Love Your Block grants. Andrew Johnston said the city expected about $2 million from the State Homelessness Mitigation Fund for FY23, to fund dedicated police units for the Homeless Resource Center and Rio Grande area and more outreach.

2. Item 2 · Budget

   FY 2022-23 budget: Administration overview and revenue update

   Discussed

   Finance staff reviewed sales tax data by sector and council district, showing $55.1 million received from July to February of FY22, and presented the recommended FY23 budget around the mayor's priorities of growth, environment, community and city employees. General Fund revenue categories shown included property taxes, sales and use taxes ($100.8 million), franchise taxes ($26.8 million), licenses and permits ($28.6 million) and other revenue. Expenses include a 6% rise in insurance costs, merit and salary increases, and a projected 16.5% fund balance with projected revenue of $424.1 million. Council Member Dugan asked how the city's building permit fees compare with other entities; the chief financial officer said a benchmark study of comparable cities could be done.

3. Item 3 · Presentation

   Overview of program-based budgeting

   Discussed

   Chief Financial Officer Mary Beth Thompson and Resource X consultant Erik Fabian described the program budgeting tool the city began using after receiving a Budgeting for Equity grant. It builds a program inventory with costs, scores and performance metrics to show what programs cost and where to change service levels or resources. Next steps are moving to the new budgeting platform and extending it to six to eight more departments.

4. Item 4 · Budget

   FY 2022-23 budget: Council staff overview

   Discussed

   Deputy Director Jennifer Bruno reviewed the council's budget role, spending by theme (equity response models, homelessness, transportation, land use and housing, business support), staffing changes, a chart of projects in the proposed sales tax bond and general obligation bond (with the council to decide later what goes on the ballot), and Truth in Taxation property tax proposals with and without stabilization. Council Member Puy discussed increased tree planting funding of $150,000 through Public Lands, Council Member Mano asked about ARPA funds and eligibility, and Council Member Fowler suggested reviewing the HIVE Pass service and asked about CARES and ARPA money spent on ongoing needs. Ms. Bruno said she would provide information on follow-up questions.

   • Budget$150,000 to Public Lands Increased tree planting funding in proposed FY23 budget

5. Item 6 · Budget

   FY 2022-23 budget: Office of the City Attorney

   Discussed

   City Attorney Katie Lewis, Mark Kittrell and City Recorder Cindy Lou Trishman presented a request 13% above last year, focused on retention (higher salaries and reclassifications), recruitment and technology upgrades, with needs in both the Attorney's and Recorder's offices. Council Members Fowler, Dugan and Wharton praised the offices' work. Council Member Puy asked about campaign finance system upgrades; Ms. Trishman said improvements were planned.

6. Item 7 · City code

   Ordinance protecting patient privacy near healthcare facilities

   Discussed

   Weston Clark introduced an ordinance setting clearer rules for the place and manner of free speech near patients and patient access points at medical facilities. City Attorney Katie Lewis and Police Chief Mike Brown explained how the distances in the ordinance were determined and how it would be enforced. Tentative council action was set for May 17.

7. Item 8 · City code

   20 mph default speed limit on city streets, follow-up

   Discussed

   Transportation staff and Police Chief Mike Brown said the proposal would cover about 420 miles, or 70% of city-owned streets, and noted that bicycle and pedestrian crashes were 4% of crashes but 46% of fatalities. Replacing all existing 25 mph signs would cost about $100,000, collector streets are not included, and staff recommended public education stressing that the change is not meant to increase ticketing. Council Member Puy asked about cheaper options such as replacing sign stickers, which staff said they could examine, and praised the effort as a way to save lives. A straw poll showed unanimous support.

   • Budget$100,000 Replace existing 25 mph signs for 20 mph default limit

What residents said

Speed limits and pedestrian safetyBuilding permit feesProperty tax proposals