Council briefed on police, non-departmental and community budgets; members suggest drone-use legislative intents
May 29, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
The Council heard FY 2025-26 budget briefings on non-departmental items and the court system, the Police Department (including a $7.9 million overtime increase and the Drone First Responder program) and Community and Neighborhoods. Council Members Puy and Wharton suggested legislative intents on police drone policy and oversight. No votes on the budget were taken.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| FY 2025-26 budget: Non-Departmental, Justice Court, Prosecutor and Legal Defenders | Discussed |
| FY 2025-26 budget: Police Department | Discussed |
| FY 2025-26 budget: Community and Neighborhoods | Discussed |
| FY 2025-26 budget: unresolved issues | Discussed |
| FY 2025-26 budget: Human Resources | No action |
| Closed session | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
FY 2025-26 budget: Non-Departmental, Justice Court, Prosecutor and Legal Defenders
Discussed
Finance staff gave an overview of General Fund changes, funding to replace legacy prosecutor software and two requested victim advocates. The Legal Defenders director, the county district attorney and the Justice Court presiding judge presented Project RIO (Re-integration of Offenders). Council Member Petro asked about the $1 million Jordan River contingency and a $500,000 item with pending requests for proposals; Council Member Dugan asked about $100,000 for BioHive Innovation; Council Member Puy asked about the value of the city's outside memberships.
Item 2 · Public safety
FY 2025-26 budget: Police Department
Discussed
The police chief described the proposed changes, including a $7.9 million overtime increase, crime monitoring and response technology, the Drone First Responder program, inflationary supply costs and Airport Division needs. Council Member Puy suggested a legislative intent on civil liberties, privacy, document retention and accountability for police drone use; Council Member Wharton suggested one seeking input from the Racial Equity in Policing Commission or Human Rights Commission on innovations such as drones.
- Budget$7.90 million
Item 4 · Budget
FY 2025-26 budget: Community and Neighborhoods
Discussed
Staff described proposed changes totaling $41.5 million, including the transfer of the Arts Council and Engineering to the department, HEART moving to Public Services, youth and family summer programming, scooter program changes, dormant program income and Hive Pass requests. Transportation staff updated on the Livable Streets program and Frequent Transit Network ridership. Council Member Puy asked for reports on the Fix The Bricks program, scooter revenue versus cost and Hive Pass usage. Council Member Lopez Chavez left during this item.
- Budget$41.5 million
Item 5 · Budget
FY 2025-26 budget: unresolved issues
Discussed
Council staff said the June 3 staff report would cover budget adjustments for departmental needs, revenue information, legislative intent tracking and contingent appropriations. Council Member Wharton asked members to bring unresolved issues to June 3 and to finish remaining items June 5.
Item 6 · Budget
FY 2025-26 budget: Human Resources
No action
Written briefing only; no discussion was held.
Other
Closed session
Approved · 6-0
The Council voted 6-0 (Council Member Lopez Chavez absent for the vote, though listed as attending online) to enter closed session on litigation strategy and attorney-client matters, and 7-0 to exit (4:42 to 4:58 p.m.).
What residents said
Police drone use and oversight