Meeting Highlights
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 park 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.
Additional Meeting Highlights
Along with the FY27 Budget, the Council approved the following items during the formal meeting:
- Recognizing June 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month in Salt Lake City. The Council and Mayor Mendenhall presented the resolution to the Utah Immigrant Advocacy Committee and consul members of the Utah Consular Corp.
- Supporting America250 Utah and Recognizing and Approving the Salt Lake City Utah250 Community Committee.
The Council also:
- Discussed unresolved issues to balance the FY27 Budget. (Watch)
- Received a briefing on a waiver of proximity liquor permits for Via Veneto Pizzarium, located across the street from Liberty Park. (Watch)
- Received a briefing on an ordinance that would create a licensing and compliance framework for short-term rentals in Salt Lake City. (Watch)
Next Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 14
The Council meets first as the Community Reinvestment Agency (C.R.A.) at 2 p.m., followed by the Council’s work session. The formal meeting begins at 7 p.m. and ends upon the conclusion of items listed on the agenda.
Council staff can provide parking validations for the City Library.
*Please confirm meeting times and agenda items 24 hours in advance*
Scheduled Items
Hearings
- Indefinite Alleyway Closure in Jefferson Park
- Alley Vacation at Approximately 567 East Warnock Avenue
- Mobile Business Text Amendment
- Waiver of Proximity for Via Veneto Pizzarium