Council reviews police, community and neighborhoods and arts budgets, and the District 4 vacancy process

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Budget

   Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Council staff overview

   Discussed

   Executive Director Jennifer Bruno gave the legislative branch's view of the Mayor's recommended budget, including the proposed property tax increase, departmental cuts and efficiencies, affordable housing investments and capital improvement priorities. Members discussed Truth in Taxation rules and how residents can see city-related increases on tax bills, the roughly 5 percent cuts departments were asked to identify and whether they are sustainable given past cuts to road maintenance and public lands, vacancy savings, proposed property tax allocations to fire services, youth and family programs, the Justice Court, legal services and capital projects, utility fee and voter-approved bond effects on residents, and updating impact fees to diversify revenue.

2. Item 2 · Budget

   Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Police Department

   Discussed

   Budget analyst Michael Sanders and Chief Brian Redd presented a proposed 5 percent budget increase with added staffing requests, and described reductions in crime and response times and investments in community engagement, traffic safety, drones and the Real Time Crime Center. Discussion covered School Resource Officer reimbursement from the School District, event staffing reimbursements from the University of Utah and others, Utah Inland Port tax increment reimbursement for added staff near the Westside precinct, alternate response and civilian teams, resident concerns about speeding, artificial intelligence and data retention and civil liberties, with the department saying it has no contracts with Flock Safety, Jordan River Trail patrols, equipment inflation, and recruiting and retention. Council Member Wharton asked for a meeting on coordination with the University of Utah and Greek Row operations.

   • PaymentAmount not given to Utah Inland Port Authority Tax increment reimbursement supporting added police staff near the Westside/Pioneer Precinct. Paid from Utah Inland Port Authority tax increment

3. Item 4 · Budget

   Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Community and Neighborhoods Department

   Discussed

   Department Director Tammy Hunsaker and staff presented accomplishments, efficiencies, transportation and housing initiatives, and proposed reductions. Discussion included youth and family programming changes (prioritizing K-6 and teen after-school and summer programs and consolidating adult programs), the proposed elimination of the reduced-fare Hive Pass while keeping low-income and student passes, the county's childcare cuts, continuing the Fix the Bricks program at a reduced, income-qualified level through grant funding, and permitting efficiency. Council Members Dugan and Carlsen requested program and ridership data and alternative transit pass information, and Council Member Puy asked for follow-up on electric vehicle charger costs, a possible vacated EV site on North Temple, and maintenance and disposition of city-owned properties.

4. Item 5 · Budget

   Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Arts Council Division

   Discussed

   Staff reviewed a proposed 5.8 percent reduction to the Arts Council Division. Arts Division staff described the council's hybrid government-nonprofit structure, funding sources, the public art and mural programs, and efforts to keep programming despite lower funding. Members discussed fundraising, mural growth compared with peer cities, and the Twilight Concert Series, including operating changes, private vendors, city contributions and downtown business impacts.

5. Item 6 · Presentation

   Cultural Core summary and THE BLOCKS update

   Discussed

   THE BLOCKS program manager Lucus Horns and Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer presented the year-nine summary and year-ten plan for the initiative, formerly Cultural Core, which the city and Salt Lake County fund under an interlocal agreement to promote downtown arts and culture. They covered programming and visitation metrics, economic impact, marketing, public art and partnerships. Staff clarified that its metrics are separate from Arts Council programming.

6. Item 9 · Appointment

   Executive Director report: District 4 vacancy

   Discussed

   Deputy Director Lehua Weaver outlined the process to appoint a replacement for the District 4 council seat, including application timelines, interviews, public notice, conflict-of-interest disclosures, voting, and outreach. Members were asked to submit edits to the application questions by the next day.

What residents said

Proposed property tax increaseElimination of the Hive PassPolice technology and civil libertiesYouth and family program cuts