Council reviews Public Lands, Golf, Public Services and Fire budgets, including Park Ranger cuts and a fourth Station 3 truck
May 21, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
The May 21 work session was a series of budget briefings for Public Lands, the Golf Fund, Public Services and the Fire Department, with the Fleet Fund moved to a later meeting. Topics included proposed Park Ranger reductions, a proposed public electric vehicle charging fee and a request for 10 new firefighters. No votes were taken apart from a 6-0 vote to enter a closed meeting on labor negotiations and advice of counsel.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Department of Public Lands | Discussed |
| Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Golf Fund | Discussed |
| Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Fleet Fund | No action |
| Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Department of Public Services | Discussed |
| Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Fire Department | Discussed |
| Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: property tax impact schedule | Discussed |
| Closed meeting motion | Approved · 6-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Department of Public Lands
Discussed
Public Lands Director Kim Shelley and Deputy Director Tyler Murdock presented the department's mission, accomplishments, requested increases and proposed reductions to administration, operations, park security and Park Ranger staffing. Excluding the Golf Fund the budget rises modestly while absorbing utility, contract and personnel costs. Members asked whether the cuts would delay projects funded by the 2022 general obligation bond, and discussed late-frost damage to sycamore trees, irrigation upgrades, the Park Ranger role, native plant propagation and the Regional Athletic Complex fee structure. Council Member Puy asked for information on the Folsom Trail, Park Ranger outreach, tree losses on North Temple and 300 West and the Thousand Trees Program; Council Member Wharton asked about a proposed Foothills subcommittee of the Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry and Trails Advisory Board; Council Member Petro asked for clearer Park Ranger performance measures.
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Golf Fund
Discussed
Golf Division Director Matt Kammeyer described six years of financial improvement, growth in play and revenue, planned capital investment and a request for one full-time position, along with golf path repairs, design of the Rose Park irrigation project and golf simulators at Forest Dale. Staff said revenue growth would support a larger capital program and reduce reliance on the General Fund. Members discussed water conservation at courses and praised the turnaround.
Item 3 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Fleet Fund
No action
Moved to a future council meeting.
Item 5 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Department of Public Services
Discussed
Director Jorge Chamorro and deputies presented the department's reductions and requests, which include taking over the Ballpark and Old Library (The Leonardo) building, consolidating cleaning functions into the Urban Services Division, and cutting contracted cleanup and vacant crossing guard positions. Key policy issues were staffing, street maintenance funding and a proposed public electric vehicle charging fee. Members discussed metered charging logistics, roadway condition after the mill and overlay program, whether mill-and-overlay investment is enough to avoid costlier reconstruction, a proposed Ballpark administrator position and facility maintenance obligations.
Item 6 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: Fire Department
Discussed
Chief Karl Lieb and a financial analyst presented accomplishments including the Station 1 bay extension, an agreement with the Salt Lake City School District and the end of toxic aircraft firefighting foam, along with a request for 10 new full-time positions funded by proposed property tax revenue. Discussion covered data-driven deployment, nine firefighters to staff a fourth truck at Station 3 in Sugar House, whether another Community Health and Assistance Team is needed, fire-response capacity as Sugar House density grows, overtime, inspection and permitting, and high call volumes in the Avenues and near the University of Utah. Council Member Puy asked staff to explore reducing University of Utah-related calls and recovering some response costs.
Item 7 · Taxes and fees
Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget: property tax impact schedule
Discussed
Council Member Puy said the item was on the agenda because state code requires it and the schedule is in the meeting materials. There was no further discussion.
Item 10 · Other
Closed meeting motion
Approved · 6-0
The council voted to enter a closed meeting on collective bargaining strategy and advice of counsel; it ran from 4:05 to 4:57 p.m.
What residents said
Park Ranger staffing cutsFire response capacity in Sugar HousePublic EV charging fee