Council begins fiscal 2024-25 budget review of Mayor's $475 million general fund and backs downtown projects position
May 14, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
At the May 14 work session the Council started its review of the Mayor's $475.2 million general fund budget for fiscal 2024-25, up $26.7 million, and in a straw poll supported a new downtown projects staff position. It also heard the 2024 resident survey results, a Youth State of the City address, a follow-up on Budget Amendment No. 5 and the City Attorney's budget.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Administration overview and revenue update | Discussed |
| Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Council staff overview | Discussed |
| Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Finance Department | Discussed |
| Board appointment interviews | Discussed |
| Budget Amendment No. 5 for fiscal year 2023-24 follow-up | Discussed |
| Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Office of the City Attorney | Discussed |
| Chair and Vice Chair report | Discussed |
| Closed session | No action · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Administration overview and revenue update
Discussed
Finance staff reviewed the Mayor's recommended general fund budget of $475,245,078, up $26,730,160 from the $448,514,918 adopted for fiscal 2024. Council members asked whether a drop in sales tax was a pandemic lag (staff said the data showed it was not), why the Rapid Intervention Team needs doubling if the state is adding beds, why portable toilets go unused while residents ask for restrooms (staff said placement draws people to congregate nearby), and asked for metrics on bio-waste cleanup and outreach, information on the RV program and on whether the economic development budget is unusually low.
- Budget$475.2 million
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Council staff overview
Discussed
Council staff covered the Council's budget role, revenue sources the city controls, the maintenance backlog, rainy day fund, employee pay, Truth in Taxation, new growth and other property tax and fee proposals. Members asked about alternate uses of fund balance, the capital project backlog and park irrigation costs, free HIVE bus passes beyond the Salt Lake school district, street safety, and the trigger for UTA to cover 15-minute bus service. In a straw poll, all members present supported the Mayor's request for a full-time downtown projects position.
Item 3 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Finance Department
Discussed
Finance and Council staff reviewed Finance's general fund changes. Members asked about project-tracking software modules and how they would help prevent overspending, how tools and ongoing costs are counted, grant portfolios, and a 30% drop in internal auditing, which staff said reflects where auditing is accounted for in the budget.
Item 4 · Presentation
2024 resident survey results
Discussed
City staff and Y2 Analytics presented a panel survey of 653 residents taken in March and April 2024. Findings included that fewer than half said their tax dollars are well spent, residents find neighborhoods walkable and feel safer by day, nine in ten believe police should build community relationships, there was near-unanimous support for sending social workers to certain emergency calls, residents want public transit to run later, city roads were not seen as well maintained, and residents want parks downtown and in Sugar House. Council members asked about weighting, survey length and response rates, and requested district-level summaries.
Item 5-9 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Miranda Bradshaw (Transportation Advisory Board, term to September 27, 2027), Stacee Adams (Sister Cities Board, to July 3, 2028), Natalie Moldover (Library Board, to June 30, 2027), Gabriella Huggins (Arts Council, to May 21, 2027) and Bryce Wurtsbaugh (Business Advisory Board, to December 25, 2028). Council Member Petro said each name would be on the consent agenda.
Item 10 · Presentation
Youth State of the City address
Discussed
Six Youth City Government students spoke about their experience in the program and issues including homelessness, the need for more housing, protecting the Great Salt Lake and working with the Utah State Food Bank. Council members thanked them.
Item 12 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 5 for fiscal year 2023-24 follow-up
Discussed
Staff reviewed items for a partial adoption: A-2 police recruitment and retention ($1,423,875); A-4 a $3 million state appropriation for Avenues Cemetery road reconstruction and irrigation; A-5 a $450,000 traffic signal at 2200 West and 2100 North; A-6 $47,592 in police impact fee refunds; A-7 $59,001 to update the transportation impact fee plan; A-9 $130,649 to extend Advantage Services' Mobile Clean Team contract to seven days a week; A-10 $15 million to a capital holding account; D-3 $100,000 for community funds; D-4 transfer of $3,463,696 in HOME dormant income; D-6 a $21,933,876 airport interest adjustment; and D-7 $250,288 for an Open Streets event. Members supported the police request, discussed a roundabout instead of a signal on A-5, asked where the Clean Team is needed, and discussed moving Open Streets to the Granary District. Mayor Mendenhall said timing with the Downtown Alliance made Main Street difficult this year and the Granary District would test a green-loop activity.
- Purchase$450,000
- Contract$130,649 to Advantage Services
- Grant$3.00 million
- Budget$250,288
Item 13 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Office of the City Attorney
Discussed
The City Attorney's office and Salt Lake County District Attorney staff presented the office budget and compared a dedicated arraignment judge model with a rotating model in which five judges rotate weekly. Council members commended the legislative and recorder's staff and asked about prosecution workload and delayed cases.
Item 14 · Other
Chair and Vice Chair report
Discussed
Council Member Petro described meetings with Smith Entertainment Group about Japantown that she and Council Member Mano attended, and a meeting with symphony members, the Salt Lake County Mayor and the Delta Center owners about potential changes to Abravanel Hall that she and Council Member Puy attended. Council Member Mano thanked those involved in the Japantown conversations.
Item 16 · Other
Closed session
No action · 7-0
The Council voted 7-0 to enter a closed session on attorney-client matters and 7-0 to exit and adjourn.
What residents said
Public restrooms and homelessness metricsSales tax declineResident dissatisfaction with tax use