Council reviews Public Lands, Golf, IMS, Justice Court and employee pay budgets and Metropolitan Water District tax plan
May 21, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
At its May 21 work session the Council continued budget briefings, reviewing Public Lands, the $20.5 million Golf Fund, Information Management Services, the Justice Court and employee compensation, including a recommendation of a cost-of-living increase of at least 5%. It also heard a follow-up on the Metropolitan Water District's proposed property tax increase, which Sandy City approved on May 7.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff reported on engineering and UDOT downtown construction projects, housing stability surveys, and homelessness: resource center use, encampment mitigation locations, Kayak Court moved to Pioneer Park because of river conditions, and weekly Winter Services Task Group meetings on sites, funding and providers.
Item 2 · Taxes and fees
Metropolitan Water District property tax proposal follow-up
Discussed
Metropolitan Water District leaders said the district adopted a tentative budget with a 3% water rate increase and a certified tax rate increase to 0.00035. State law requires approval by the legislative body of each city that appoints trustees; Sandy City Council approved on May 7. The board chair read the report required by Utah Code 17B-1-1003.
- FeeAmount not given to Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy
Item 3 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Department of Public Lands
Discussed
Public Lands staff presented a department of 161.85 full-time employees, requesting $1.1 million from the general fund and $1 million from Funding Our Future. Budget insights included inflationary and contractual increases, new property maintenance (Glendale Park Phase I), a Trails and Natural Lands division director, a new park project coordinator, accelerating project delivery, and a one-time Funding Our Future transfer to the capital fund. Council Member Wharton joined during this item.
- Budget$1.10 million
- Budget$1.00 million
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Golf Fund
Discussed
Golf staff proposed a $20,468,636 budget for six courses and five driving ranges, with 59% of rounds booked online. Changes include a $908,749 revenue increase from fees, $266,059 in inflationary increases and $1,098,780 in course reinvestments such as cart paths, tee boxes and Rose Park irrigation. The division is testing drought-tolerant grass with Utah State University. Council Member Young asked for a numerically ranked list of the golf capital backlog.
- Budget$20.5 million
Item 6 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Information Management Services
Discussed
IMS staff (100 full-time employees) presented a total request of $1,824,111 covering contractual and inflationary increases, audio/visual technology, a radio replacement program and new positions. Council Member Puy asked for a breakdown of communications support across departments; Council Member Lopez Chavez asked for a list of software contract increases across over 100 applications and which would be consolidated.
- Budget$1.82 million
Item 7 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: employee compensation and benefits
Discussed
Human resources said the Citizen Compensation Advisory Committee recommended a cost-of-living increase of at least 5%. Proposals include market pay adjustments, shift differential changes, a health savings account city share of $1,000 for single and $2,000 for family coverage as IRS minimum deductibles rise to $1,600 and $3,200, a dietitian benefit through the URS Midtown Clinic, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave without applying for short-term disability.
Item 8 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Justice Court
Discussed
Justice Court leaders reported a falling failure-to-appear rate after scheduling changes, with 30% of hearings in person and 70% virtual. They requested a community outreach case manager and a 10-passenger outreach van, for a total request of $150,363. Council Members Lopez Chavez and Petro asked whether caseload growth outpaces population growth and where hot spots are; staff said the case manager would help collect that data.
- Budget$150,363
Item 9 · Appointment
Sister Cities Board interview: Rose Kjesbo
Discussed
The Council interviewed Rose Kjesbo for a term ending July 3, 2028; Council Member Petro said her name was on the consent agenda.
Item 10 · Taxes and fees
Central Business Improvement Area 2025-2028 (written briefing)
Discussed
A written briefing described reauthorizing the downtown Central Business Improvement Area, a special assessment on downtown commercial properties for economic promotion, for April 2025 to April 2028, with a second assessment for holiday lighting. The current contract is with the Downtown Alliance. No discussion was held.
Item 13 · Other
Closed sessions
No action · 6-0
The Council held two closed sessions. Session A, on attorney-client matters, began with a 5-0 vote to enter (Council Members Wharton and Mano absent at the vote) and a 6-0 vote to exit. Session B, on collective bargaining and advice of counsel, was entered and exited 6-0 with Council Member Wharton absent from the votes.