Council hears Fire, Economic Development and Attorney budget requests and a list of unresolved budget items
June 1, 2023, 1:00 p.m. · City & County Building, 451 South State Street, Salt Lake City
The Council spent its June 1 work session on fiscal year 2023-24 budget briefings from the Fire Department, Economic Development and the City Attorney's Office, then reviewed unresolved budget issues. All Council Members present supported a straw poll on four housing funding items. Council Member Amy Fowler was absent.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Fiscal year 2023-24 budget: Fire Department
Discussed
Fire Chief Karl Lieb presented the budget, which includes five new full-time positions: four social workers and one medical divisions captain, for the Community Health Access Team and Medical Response Team. Chief Lieb said social workers help first responders without delaying the response team. Council Member Daniel Dugan asked for clarification of the five positions; Council Member Ana Valdemoros called it a pilot program and asked about recruiting and possible apprenticeships; Council Member Victoria Petro praised the department's metrics.
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal year 2023-24 budget: Economic Development
Discussed
Staff presented a department of 22 employees and an $80,000 request, plus a planned strategic plan, and described youth career pathways, community gardens, west side art, Twilight Concert Series and Open Streets. Council Members discussed construction mitigation funds and support for small businesses. Council Member Alejandro Puy requested reports on lessons from last year's budget, how success is measured and how further audit discrepancies are avoided; Council Member Darin Mano asked to flag the construction budget as a possible addition; Council Member Valdemoros asked for a return-on-investment report in the strategic plan.
- Budget$80,000
Item 3 · Budget
Fiscal year 2023-24 budget: City Attorney's Office
Discussed
City Attorney Katie Lewis requested two new full-time positions and market-rate salary support. Prosecutors Sim Gill, Ralph Chamness and Paul Fuller cited salary parity, a 31% vacancy rate with five open prosecutor positions, and a grant request for a 'Miami Model' prosecutor. Council Member Petro and Chamness discussed why the report was late and office culture.
Item 5 · Budget
Fiscal year 2023-24 budget: unresolved issues follow-up
Discussed
Council staff and administration reviewed a $300,000 construction mitigation increase, a proposed RV compliance team (three full-time positions and a vehicle; $325,000 ongoing and $360,000 one-time), and sanctioned camping options. Council Member Puy asked for a proposal on enforcement and resources for people living in RVs, including black water vouchers. Staff discussed using flexible and dormant HUD funds for NeighborWorks, citywide ADU incentives, Switch Pointe gap financing and a naturally occurring affordable housing loan program. The Council will continue the sanctioned camping discussion later.
- Budget$325,000
- Budget$360,000
- Straw poll: all Council Members present supported the NeighborWorks partnership, citywide ADU incentives, the naturally occurring affordable housing loan program and RDA housing funding sources
Item 6-8 · Budget
Written briefings: Governmental Immunity, Human Resources, Consolidated Fee Schedule
No action
The Governmental Immunity budget item was not held. The Human Resources budget and the amendments to the Consolidated Fee Schedule for fiscal year 2023-24 were written briefings only.
What residents said
RV parking and sanctioned campingProsecutor vacancies and pay