The City of Holladay relies on several specialized departments and citizen-led boards to manage the operations and growth of its community, which has a population of 31,965 as of April 1, 2020. Among these civic institutions, the Planning Commission and the Finance department play distinct roles in maintaining the city's infrastructure and fiscal health.
According to the city's Planning Commission webpage, the Commission serves as a citizen board tasked with several specific responsibilities. Its function is to prepare city-wide land use plans and other special studies for adoption by the City Council. Furthermore, the Commission is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council regarding proposed zoning maps and text changes. The board also holds the authority to approve subdivisions and conditional uses. It is important to note that the Planning Commission does not initiate land use applications; instead, they act on applications submitted by groups or individuals. These decisions are made based on staff recommendations, the General Plan, other reports, and observations made during meetings.
Meetings for the Planning Commission are held at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers. The commission is comprised of eight citizens who are appointed by the City Manager with the advice and consent of the City Council for a term of three years. To ensure geographic representation, one member is appointed from each council district, while two members are appointed at-large. There is also one alternate member. All members of the Commission must reside within the City of Holladay. Current members of the Commission include Dennis Roach, who serves as Chair, and Brian Berndt, Patrick Tripeny, Angela Gong, Jill Fonte, Paul Cunningham, and Karianne Prince.
For residents interested in serving, the city has previously sought applicants to fill vacancies on the Commission. Interested individuals must complete an application and submit it to the Community Development Department via email. Participation in the Commission requires regular attendance at the scheduled Tuesday meetings and time to review information beforehand.
While the Planning Commission manages land use, the Finance department manages the city's fiscal stewardship. According to the Finance department's website, this department oversees the daily financial activities of the City. Its primary responsibilities include the budget, accounting, and treasury functions. The department is designed to provide accountable, transparent, and prudent fiscal stewardship while supporting all other city departments and agencies through comprehensive financial services.
For residents concerned with financial integrity, the city provides a fraud hotline. If there is suspicion of financial wrongdoing, such as fraud or waste, by employees or within the Holladay government, the city directs individuals to contact the State Auditor Hotline at 801-538-9777.
What this means for Holladay
For Holladay residents, these institutions ensure that land use is carefully planned and that city finances are managed with transparency. Whether through participating in the Planning Commission or utilizing the Finance department's services, citizens play a direct role in the governance and fiscal stability of their community.
