SLC.gov

Contact:
[email protected]

Salt Lake City Council Adopts FY 2026-27 Budget, Prioritizing Neighborhood Needs and Core Services

SALT LAKE CITY, June 16, 2026 – The Salt Lake City Council adopted the City’s $2.1 billion Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) budget on Tuesday, June 16, approving a spending plan focused on public safety, essential services, neighborhood infrastructure and thoughtful financial stewardship. 

“Balancing growing needs with limited resources is one of the most important responsibilities of local government,” said Council Chair Alejandro “Ale” Puy. “This budget reflects choices that protect essential services, invest in our neighborhoods and position Salt Lake City for long-term success. We are committed to being thoughtful stewards of public funds while delivering results residents can see and feel in their daily lives.”  

The adopted budget includes a General Fund of approximately $498.2 million for daily operations like public safety, parks, planning and permitting. Additionally, major infrastructure funding is set aside through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which supports projects involving streets, sidewalks, trails and public facilities. The CIP will be finalized later this summer.   

FY27 Investment Highlights

• Parks & Open Spaces: Funding for parks maintenance, seasonal staffing, supplies and capital repairs to care for parks, trees, trails and open spaces throughout the city.  
• Emergency Response: Increased staffing and resources to maintain rapid response times for new high-rise developments and the growing population.   
• Justice Court: Funding for support staff for a sixth Justice Court judge to strengthen diversion programs and public-facing court operations. 
• Transit: Funding for frequent east-west transit routes and Westside on-demand service.
• Housing Stability & Support: Continued support for renters, affordable housing initiatives and services for people experiencing homelessness, including outreach and shelter coordination.  

The Council appreciates Mayor Erin Mendenhall and her administration for the significant work involved in preparing and presenting the proposed budget. The FY27 budget takes effect July 1, 2026, and runs through June 30, 2027. The Council’s decisions were informed by public briefings, community feedback and the City’s financial forecast.  

Truth in Taxation and Next Steps  

Because the budget includes a $13.5 million proposed property tax increase to address ongoing operational cost increases and inflation, the property tax portion of the adoption process will continue into August. Under Utah state law, the Council will host a Truth in Taxation public hearing on August 11, 2026, before final property tax rates are implemented.  

For more information about the budget, including the upcoming Truth in Taxation hearing, visit link.slc.gov/SLCFY27.

####

About Salt Lake City:
Salt Lake City Corporation is the municipal government for Utah’s capital city. The Mayor is the chief executive and the City Council is the legislative body. Committed to providing outstanding public services, fostering community engagement, and promoting innovation, Salt Lake City Corporation is dedicated to creating a city that thrives and reflects the values of its diverse residents. For more information, visit slc.gov.

About The Salt Lake City Council:  

The Salt Lake City Council is the seven-member legislative branch of Utah’s capital city. The Council sets Salt Lake City’s overall policy direction and allocates resources via the adoption of annual budgets and ordinances. The Council also serves as the Board of Directors for Salt Lake City’s Community Reinvestment Agency, the Local Building Authority, and the Board of Canvassers. For more information, visit slc.gov/Council.