The Salt Lake City Council approved the city's $2.1 billion Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget during a meeting on Tuesday, June 16. The spending plan prioritizes neighborhood needs, core services, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance.
Council priorities and goals
Council Chair Alejandro “Ale” Puy stated that the budget reflects choices intended to protect essential services and invest in neighborhoods while managing growing needs with limited resources.
General Fund and infrastructure details
The adopted budget features a General Fund of approximately $498.2 million, which will support daily operations including parks, planning, permitting, and public safety. Major infrastructure projects involving streets, sidewalks, trails, and public facilities will be funded through the Capital Improvement Program, with finalization expected later this summer.
Key fiscal year investment areas
Key investment areas for the fiscal year include:
Parks and Open Spaces: Funding for capital repairs, supplies, seasonal staffing, and maintenance of trees and trails.
Emergency Response: Resources and increased staffing to maintain response times amid a growing population and new high-rise developments.
Justice Court: Support staff funding for a sixth Justice Court judge to assist with public-facing operations and diversion programs.
Transit: Investment in Westside on-demand service and frequent east-west transit routes.
Housing Stability and Support: Continued services for homelessness outreach, shelter coordination, affordable housing initiatives, and renter support.
Property tax increase and timeline
Because the budget includes a proposed $13.5 million property tax increase to manage inflation and rising operational costs, the adoption process will continue through August. Under Utah state law, the Council is scheduled to host a Truth in Taxation public hearing on August 11, 2026, before final rates are implemented.
Budget effective dates
The FY27 budget is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will run through June 30, 2027.
During the same meeting, the Council approved a resolution recognizing June 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month in Salt Lake City. The Council also moved to support America250 Utah and approved the Salt Lake City Utah250 Community Committee.
Other items discussed during the session included a briefing on a licensing framework for short-term rentals, a waiver of proximity liquor permits for Via Veneto Pizzarium, and unresolved budget balancing issues.
