Sandy council sets budget priorities in workshop; CAO calls fiscal 2027 a hard budget
January 27, 2026, 5:15 p.m. · Council Chambers, Sandy City Hall, 10000 Centennial Parkway, and Zoom
The council held a budget priorities workshop led by facilitator Matt Dixon. CAO Shane Pace said fiscal 2027 would be a hard budget, with public safety the top priority followed by pay to retain experienced staff, and that departments were asked to cut budgets by 2% to 4%. The council developed priorities for staff to compile; no votes were taken.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
In brief
2 items came up for a decision or discussion: 2 discussed.
This write-up links 3 source documents.
Residents raised intersection safety near alta high school.
The previous City Council work session meeting was on January 20, 2026: Sandy council sets $9 million bond ceiling for Arbor Plaza purchase, creates Cairns housing zone agreement and tables a Dimple Dell Road annexation
The next one was on February 10, 2026: Sandy council adopts elected-official compensation limits, hears Series 2026 bond hearing and New Castle Drive fence complaints
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Council budget priorities workshop | Discussed |
| Legislative report | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Budget
Council budget priorities workshop
Discussed
Pace previewed administration priorities: public safety first, then compensation to retain staff (more than 58 employees have reached 30 years of service), remaining Phase III Public Works capital projects and the new recreation center opening in fiscal 2027. Council Director Dustin Fratto introduced Dixon, who reviewed the council's existing priorities (economic development, employee satisfaction, community safety, quality of life and fiscal health) and a SWOT analysis. Strengths cited included a safe community and stakeholder partnerships; weaknesses included communication with the administration and staff nearing retirement; threats included state mandates and revenue loss; opportunities included building trust and succession planning. Staff will compile the priorities for a later meeting. The mayor was absent meeting residents near Alta High School.
Item 2 · Other
Legislative report
Discussed
Senior Policy Advisor Ryan Mecham said increasing housing stock was a top legislative priority and that bills under review cover property taxes and the wildland-urban interface.
What residents said
Intersection safety near Alta High School
Josh Karr thanked the mayor, council and administration for their responsiveness to safety issues near Alta High School.