Council reviews police, community development, HR and pay budgets for FY 2022-23
May 17, 2022, 3:00 p.m.
The work session was devoted mostly to FY 2022-23 budget briefings on the Police Department, Community and Neighborhoods Department, employee compensation and Human Resources. Council members asked about civilian response teams, the Fix the Bricks program and staffing costs, and staff agreed to provide metrics on several programs. The council also interviewed three board candidates and met in closed session.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Administration update: COVID-19, engagement, homelessness
Discussed
Staff reviewed COVID-19 death statistics, vaccination and wastewater data, public engagement on the 1100 East and 2100 South reconstructions, Main Street restriping, utility rate increases and the HUD HOME-ARP draft allocation plan. Andrew Johnston reported shelter occupancy, upcoming events and the process for choosing a 2023 winter overflow shelter site. Council members and Mr. Johnston discussed making sure the same part of the city is not asked to host the shelter year after year.
Item 2 · Budget
FY 2022-23 budget: Police Department
Discussed
Police Chief Mike Brown outlined a budget aimed at community needs, equity, diversified response and efficiency, highlighting program-based budgeting, a Civilian Response Team, a Victim Advocate Program, the Promising Youth Project, community outreach and recruiting, Versaterm case system upgrades and GRAMA staffing. Council members and staff discussed moving a special victims unit position from grant funding to the General Fund, whether the youth program could be combined with other city youth programs, when and for what calls the civilian response team would respond, how 911 dispatchers would route mental health calls, the number of officers sent to calls, and metrics to track program effectiveness. Mayor Mendenhall said the city's research supported diversifying the response to calls and using metrics to decide which programs keep funding.
Item 3 · Budget
FY 2022-23 budget: Community and Neighborhoods Department
Discussed
Department staff presented requests including two building inspectors and a civil enforcement officer, an economic development business coordinator, a historic preservation survey, a Livable Streets program, a frequent transit network, on-demand ride service, school district bus passes, a community commitment program coordinator, a city ambassador program, maintenance of vacant city properties, the Community Connection Center lease and two youth and family positions. Council members asked about the Fix the Bricks backlog and equity, Livable Streets funding, transit to the new prison, why new positions were budgeted for only 10 months, an audit of building services, funding for the HEART team, whether the civil enforcement officer could be paid from boarded-building fees, and where tenants can go for uninhabitable apartments. Staff will send metrics for the HEART team, youth program participation, traffic calming, the total cost of new positions and boarded building fees.
Item 4 · Budget
FY 2022-23 budget: compensation for city employees
Discussed
David Salazar presented the FY2023 compensation budget, including the city's commitment to pay equity and pay for non-represented employees. Council members and Human Resources Director Debra Alexander discussed turnover in some departments and how HR was addressing it.
Item 5 · Budget
FY 2022-23 budget: Human Resources Department
Discussed
Debra Alexander presented the Human Resources budget, highlighting the Workday implementation, recruitment, COVID-19 and leave management, and a staffing request. Council members discussed office space for new employees, flexibility options and what risk management funding includes.
Item 6 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews: Sugar House Park Authority, PNUT board, Arts Council
Discussed
The council interviewed Sarah Sherer (Sugar House Park Authority Board of Trustees), Aaron Wiley (PNUT Advisory Board) and Cale Newhouse (Arts Council). Their names were placed on the consent agenda.
Item 11 · Other
Closed session on collective bargaining and advice of counsel
Approved · 7-0
The council voted to enter closed session from 6:40 to 7:03 p.m. for collective bargaining strategy and advice of counsel.
What residents said
Police alternative responseWinter overflow shelter sitingHousing code enforcement