Council reviews Budget Amendment No. 5, including Inland Port police funding, and four department budgets
May 19, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
The council's May 19 work session covered department budgets for Economic Development, Information Management Services and Human Resources, and a detailed briefing on Budget Amendment No. 5 for FY 2025-26. By straw poll, all members present supported accepting Utah Inland Port Authority funding for 12 sworn and one civilian police positions. The council voted 6-0 to enter a closed meeting on litigation and attorney-client matters.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Department of Economic Development
Discussed
Economic Development staff presented a proposed budget with a reduction of about 4.4 percent, highlighting recent successes such as Western Governors University's downtown expansion. Discussion centered on changes to the Construction Mitigation Grant Program, potential Ballpark-area construction impacts on nearby businesses, widening eligibility beyond road construction, and using private funding to supplement business assistance.
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Information Management Services
Discussed
Information Management Services staff presented a proposed 3.3 percent overall reduction, efficiencies, customer service work, technology governance, and opportunities in emerging technology and artificial intelligence. Members discussed a proposed Innovation Fund, reviewing existing solutions before buying new technology, accountability for technology projects and the shapeSLC public engagement platform, and cybersecurity and data protection for the city's computer donation program.
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Human Resources Department
Discussed
Chief Human Resources Officer David Buchanan presented the proposed budget, highlighting compensation and benefits improvements, restructuring and efficiencies. Members discussed recruitment, retention in a competitive labor market, and the reorganized Learning and Development program.
Item 5 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 5 for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Discussed
Staff presented the amendment, which funds new police officers, replacement patrol vehicles, a transport van and a pass-through of property tax revenue to the city library, among other items. On Inland Port-related police costs (A-2: $2.5 million one-time and $2.5 million ongoing in the General Fund, plus technology and fleet costs), all members present supported by straw poll accepting the interlocal agreement funding with the Utah Inland Port Authority so the department can hire for 12 sworn and one civilian position. Other items discussed included an Airport finance director pay grade change ($20,000 ongoing); a new Library Pass-Through fund ($33,195,704 ongoing), which Jennifer Bruno said would not count in the city's property tax calculations; Community Reinvestment Agency pass-throughs to the Library ($4,536,141 ongoing and $2,311,032 one-time); workers compensation premium increases ($1,731,829 General Fund and $1,710,000 Risk Fund); and a transfer of $1,001,800 to Fleet for 12 police vehicles. Council members questioned whether Utah Renewable Communities startup costs ($902,186 General Fund and $1,809,370 total in refuse funds as listed) were housekeeping, and Bruno said the city is fronting the costs as a guarantee that might not need reimbursement. Other items included railroad crossing improvements on 700 South funded by a UDOT grant ($101,005; Council Member Puy asked for location and design details), crime-prevention-through-environmental-design assessments and street lights ($200,000), impact fee excess capacity and interest transfers ($1,814,796), 2026 general obligation bond proceeds ($49,336,400 for capital projects and $1,062,474 debt service), a UDOT green bike expansion ($895,004), moving $580,000 for mayor's funding into the Mayor's Office (Puy asked for fundraising totals), moving $2 million in state ARPA funds to Public Utilities, and a $600,000 grant for the City Creek daylighting project. Bruno noted an omitted council-added item allocating $255,000 from Funding Our Future fund balance to First Step House.
- Payment$2.50 million to Utah Inland Port Authority
- Grant$255,000 to First Step House
- Grant$101,005 to Utah Department of Transportation
- Bond$49.3 million
- Grant$600,000 to Outdoor Recreation Initiative
- Hearing set for June 2; tentative action June 9
Item 6 · Appointment
Board appointment: Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, Turner Bitton
Discussed
The council interviewed Turner Bitton, a District 2 resident, for a term ending May 19, 2030. Council Member Puy said his name would be on that evening's consent agenda.
Item 7 · Appointment
Board appointment: Planning Commission, Kevin Chung
No action
Item not held.
Item 8 · Appointment
Board appointment: Historic Landmark Commission, Rosemary Stum
No action
Item not held.
Item 9 · Taxes and fees
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: property tax impact schedule
Discussed
Council Member Puy said this item was on the agenda because state code requires it.
Item 12 · Other
Closed meeting motion
Approved · 6-0
The council voted to enter a closed meeting on reasonably imminent litigation and attorney-client matters; the closed meeting ran from 5:05 to 5:16 p.m.
What residents said
Inland Port-funded police staffingConstruction impacts on Ballpark-area businesses