Sandy council rejects 50 percent pay-increase option 3-4, approves solar carports zone change and sets certified property tax rates
June 16, 2020, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
The council voted 3-4 against Council Member Brooke Christensen's proposal to phase in public safety and market pay adjustments at half the planned level on July 1, 2020, with the rest when revenue conditions were met. It approved Ordinance 20-05 on solar carports in the SD(Harada) zone 7-0, set property tax rates at the certified rate for the city and the Alta Canyon district, and tabled a $500 retention bonus proposal. The meeting ran to 9:49 p.m.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Roads and utilities
UDOT Little Cottonwood Canyon environmental impact statement update
Discussed
Josh VanJura, Vincent Izzo and Bri Binnebose presented. Public input was open on three alternatives. No vote was taken.
Item 2 · Budget
FY 2020-21 tentative department budgets: Community Arts, RDA and Economic Development, Council Office, Administrative Services, Mayor's Office and CAO
Discussed
Department heads presented tentative budgets. The item paused for citizen comments and resumed at 6:14 p.m. No vote was taken.
Item 3 · Zoning
Solar carports amendment to the SD(Harada) zone (Ordinance 20-05)
Approved · 7-0
Zoning Administrator Mike Wilcox presented the code amendment and Brian Barnhill spoke for the applicant. The council approved it. Steve Van Maren's only comment was that the comment system was working.
- Case: CODE-04-20-5845_CC_2
- Zone: SD(Harada)
Item 4 · Taxes and fees
Property tax rates set to the certified rate (Resolutions 20-20C and 20-21C)
Approved · 7-0
The council set property tax rates for Sandy City (Resolution 20-20C) and the Alta Canyon Recreation District (Resolution 20-21C) at the certified rates from Salt Lake County. Each passed 7-0; the minutes truncate the rate language and give no rates.
Item 5 · Budget
Proposed $500 six-month retention bonuses for sworn police and fire personnel
Tabled · 7-0
Council Member Cyndi Sharkey's proposal was tabled on her own motion.
- Payment$500
Item 6 · Budget
FY 2020-21 budget proposal Option 2 (Council Member Christensen)
Denied · 3-4
Christensen moved to amend last week's direction to adjust compensation by 50% of public safety steps and 50% of the market increase for other employees from July 1, 2020, with the remaining 50% to follow when General Fund money was available or three months of revenue and expense met the approved budget. A motion to call the question carried 6-1 (Sharkey no). The main motion failed 3-4, with Christensen, Robinson and Zoltanski in favor. The minutes then record a second motion by Christensen, seconded by Robinson, to adopt Option 2, with a second 3-4 tally; they do not make clear whether it differed from the first vote. Speakers included Cathy Spuck, Steve Van Maren, Ryan Bird of the Fraternal Order of Police, Danny Shoenfeld, Jodi Monaco and Graham Tinius, most urging the council to fund public safety pay.
Item 7 · Budget
Public hearing: increase FY 2020 appropriations (Resolutions 20-18C and 20-19C)
Approved · 7-0
Administrative Services recommended increases for the Golf, Risk Management and Debt Service funds. The council approved Resolution 20-18C (proprietary funds: Golf and Risk) and Resolution 20-19C (special revenue: Debt Service), each 7-0. The minutes give no dollar amounts.
What residents said
Public safety compensationSandy Club fundingLittle Cottonwood Canyon EISSocial disruption safety plan
Time certain: Steve Van Maren asked whether city land given to Canyons School District must be used for targeted-income housing, which Nick Duerksen answered; Christine Kump thanked members and the police chief for remarks on Black Lives Matter; Fire Chief Bruce Cline thanked the council; firefighter-paramedic Emma Weatherhead spoke on first responder mental health; Linda Saville asked about Sandy Club funding; Max Walker asked about the safety plan for social disruption. On Option 2, speakers urged funding public safety pay.