Council gets briefings on fiscal year 2024-25 budget departments, building enforcement fines and adaptive reuse zoning incentives
May 30, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
In a work session with no votes on the policy items, the Council received briefings on the Non-Departmental, Insurance and Risk Management, Community and Neighborhoods, Public Services and Police budgets, plus ordinances on the Sustainability Department's duties, building enforcement fines and zoning incentives for reusing historic buildings. Members asked for more detail on boarded-building fees, water use measures and police grant backup plans.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Non-Departmental Fund
Discussed
Chief Financial Officer Mary Beth Thompson briefed the Council on the fund that holds transfers to other funds and grants. Transfers include $25.2 million to the Capital Improvement Program, $13.3 million to Fleet, $27.5 million to Information Management Services, $22.3 million to the Redevelopment Agency, $3.7 million for the Police Department and racial equity policing, and $10.4 million for the transit plan sales tax option. Executive Director Cindy Gust-Jenson reminded members the fund is a holding place for money used on other city projects.
- Budget$25.2 million
- Budget$22.3 million
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Insurance and Risk Management
Discussed
City Attorney Katie Lewis and Risk Manager Lauree Roberts presented a request for $1.5 million for a set insurance program to replace self-insurance, and five full-time positions. They reported 501 workers' compensation claims, 110 subrogation claims and 311 liability claims in fiscal year 2023.
- Budget$1.50 million
Item 3 · City code
Sustainability Department duties ordinance (Title 2)
Discussed
Staff briefed the Council on an ordinance amending City Code 2.08.120 to list the Sustainability Department's four main functions, responding to a legislative intent from the last budget. Council Members asked for more specificity on water use and preservation and on performance measures as policy. Tentative Council action was listed for June 4.
- Tentative Council action: June 4, 2024
Item 4 · City code
Title 18 building code and enforcement text amendments
Discussed
Staff briefed the Council on amendments to Titles 2, 5, 18 and 21A that update references to state adopted code, change the building code enforcement appeal process, and add boarded-building fees and civil penalties for construction violations. Council Members asked that boarded-building annual fees rise each year a building stays boarded and differ for residential and commercial buildings, asked for clarity on what counts as coming into compliance, and asked how fees pass between owners; staff said fees transfer with the title. Council Member Darin Mano asked for a review of disclosing fees during real estate transactions. The hearing was set for June 4 with tentative action June 11.
- Public hearing: June 4, 2024; tentative action June 11
Item 5 · Zoning
Zoning incentives for adaptive reuse and preservation of buildings
Discussed
Planning Manager Amy Thompson briefed the Council on a citywide text amendment that would remove zoning barriers to reusing buildings and add two incentives in a new Chapter 21A.52 section: adaptive reuse for additional uses in eligible buildings, and preservation of a principal building. The Planning and Historic Landmark Commissions unanimously recommended adoption. Council Members asked about bird-safe glass requirements, which staff said do not currently apply because most projects are existing buildings, and about keeping federal standards. The hearing was set for July 2 with tentative action July 9.
- Recommendation: Planning and Historic Landmark Commissions unanimously recommended adoption
- Public hearing: July 2, 2024; tentative action July 9
Item 7 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Community and Neighborhoods Department
Discussed
Director Blake Thomas presented a recommended general fund budget of $8,460,113, with new communications, building inspector and engineer positions, a fuel budget increase from $69,780 to $80,727, and a $307,807 ongoing increase for UTA on-demand service. Council Members discussed department communications staffing and street striping and street-sweeping parking days. Council Member Victoria Petro requested metrics on the ambassador program before funding its growing scope. Andrew Johnston said 25 families displaced when foreign government funding ran out were placed in a motel by Salt Lake County.
- Budget$8.46 million
- Contract$307,807 to Utah Transit Authority
Item 8 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Public Services Department
Discussed
Public Services staff proposed reducing the department budget from $75,948,042 to $74,209,133 with utility and contract inflation increases, a $75,000 internal security consultant, $100,000 for an RV removal incentive, $249,694 for architectural services, $363,021 for the Rapid Intervention Team, and $296,000 for pavement preservation. Council Member Daniel Dugan asked for a review of city electric vehicle charging stations and possible reallocation of that funding.
- Budget$74.2 million
- Budget$363,021
- Budget$296,000
Item 9 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Police Department
Discussed
Police Chief Mike Brown and Financial Manager Shellie Dietrich described 592 funded sworn positions, a $18,496,013 revenue budget, and requests for $1,363,461 in overtime, $2,323,683 for airport police staffing and $60,000 for evidence lockers. Potential grants include $2,128,235 from homeless mitigation funding and $1.5 million from COPS/BJA, for federal and local totals of $5,097,440. Members asked about the Jordan River Trail squad, backup plans if grants are not awarded, University of Utah patrol hours and noise enforcement; Chief Brown said he would gather the data and look into a muffler inspection incentive. Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez requested a report on decibel meters and Council Member Victoria Petro requested success metrics for the Homelessness Response Team.
- Budget$1.36 million
- Budget$2.32 million
Item 11-14 · Budget
Fleet Fund, unresolved issues and written briefings
Discussed
The Fleet Fund briefing and the budget unresolved issues briefing were moved to a future meeting. The Human Resources budget and the Planning and Historic Landmark Commission membership and appeals hearing officer term limit text amendment were written briefings only, with no discussion.
Other
Closed session motion
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted to enter closed session for attorney-client matters.
What residents said
Boarded building feesPolice overtime and grant backupNoise enforcement