Council backs ranked choice voting for 2023 election in straw poll; hears UTA and zero-fare briefings
January 10, 2023, 3:47 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street, Room 326
In a straw poll, the six Council Members present supported using ranked choice voting with no primary in the 2023 municipal election, depending on state legislation. The work session also covered emergency management, UTA's on-demand pilot, zero-fare and long-range plans, and lead and copper drinking water rules. Council Member Chris Wharton was absent.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| UTA Westside On-Demand pilot program update | Discussed |
| Zero fare transit study | Discussed |
| UTA long-range transit planning | Discussed |
| Safe Drinking Water Act lead and copper rule changes | Discussed |
| Ranked choice voting overview | Discussed |
| Chair and executive director reports | No action |
| Closed sessions | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff reported COVID-19 cases up 2 percent nationally and down 23 percent in Utah, closed comment periods on West Temple and Virginia Street reconstruction, the Jan. 13 deadline for UDOT's I-15 study comments, encampment mitigation and recurring cleanings (18 recurring, five new locations) and a Jan. 13 resource fair.
Item 2 · Presentation
Emergency management update 2023
Discussed
The Fire Chief and Emergency Management Division Chief gave the annual report on emergency procedures, the Council's role, staffing, activation levels and 2022 Emergency Operations Center activations.
Item 3 · Roads and utilities
UTA Westside On-Demand pilot program update
Discussed
UTA and City transportation officials reported on the on-demand service launched in December 2021 for Council Districts 1 and 2: 2,648 unique riders, 28 percent average monthly growth, an average cost of $18 per rider, wheelchair-accessible vehicles making up 50 percent of the fleet and plans for other areas of the city.
Item 4 · Roads and utilities
Zero fare transit study
Discussed
Regional planners and UTA presented a study of zero or reduced fares, building on Salt Lake City's February 2022 zero-fare pilot. Alternatives are systemwide zero fare, bus-only zero fare, zero fare for low-income riders and a $1.00 base fare. Fares are a small part of UTA revenue, and about 44 percent of riders pay full fare.
Item 5 · Roads and utilities
UTA long-range transit planning
Discussed
UTA presented its 30-year long-range plan process (draft and engagement in 2023) and its final draft five-year service plan, including ending routes 901 and 902 to Park City in 2023, 15-minute Saturday TRAX service in August 2023, improved 200 South service in August 2025 and 5600 West service in August 2027.
Item 7 · Roads and utilities
Safe Drinking Water Act lead and copper rule changes
Discussed
Public Utilities staff described federal and state revisions requiring lead service line inventory and replacement, expanded sampling including schools and child care facilities, corrosion control and public outreach, and the city's current status and priorities. Funding had not been detailed. Council Member Puy suggested sharing program information through Council newsletters.
Item 8 · Other
Ranked choice voting overview
Discussed
Elections staff said the deadline to decide on joining the state's ranked choice voting pilot for the 2023 municipal election was May 2023, that Salt Lake County would offer it, that cost estimates were not available and that state legislation could affect participation. Council Members Puy and Petro supported ranked choice voting without a primary. In a straw poll, all six members present favored using ranked choice voting with no primary, tentatively depending on legislative direction; Wharton was absent and Valdemoros was absent for the poll.
Item 9-10 · Other
Chair and executive director reports
No action
Chair Mano announced a Council retreat on Jan. 31, 2023. Staff raised the National League of Cities conference in March and a short-notice racial healing event.
Other
Closed sessions
Approved · 6-0
The Council voted 6-0 to enter Closed Session A for real property strategy and attorney-client matters (Wharton absent). The vote to exit passed 5-0, with Council Member Valdemoros abstaining; the minutes give no reason. A separate Closed Session B on security personnel, devices or systems passed 5-0 to enter (Valdemoros and Wharton absent) and 6-0 to exit, and ran from 7:33 to 8:27 p.m. with no minutes or recording kept.
What residents said
Ranked choice voting cost and state lawLead in drinking waterTransit fares