The Salt Lake City Council approved a $2.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 on Tuesday, June 16. The adopted plan prioritizes public safety, essential services, neighborhood infrastructure, and financial stewardship.
Council priorities and leadership vision
Council Chair Alejandro “Ale” Puy stated that balancing growing needs with limited resources is a primary responsibility of local government. He noted that the budget includes choices intended to protect essential services and invest in neighborhoods to position Salt Lake City for long-term success.
General Fund and infrastructure details
The FY27 budget includes a General Fund of approximately $498.2 million for daily operations, including planning, permitting, parks, and public safety. Additionally, the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will provide funding for infrastructure projects such as trails, sidewalks, streets, and public facilities, with the CIP expected to be finalized later this summer.
Key municipal investment highlights
Key investment highlights within the budget include:
Emergency Response: Increased resources and staffing to maintain response times for a growing population and new high-rise developments.
Parks and Open Spaces: Funding for capital repairs, supplies, seasonal staffing, and maintenance for city trees, trails, and parks.
Housing Stability and Support: Continued services for people experiencing homelessness, including shelter coordination and outreach, alongside affordable housing initiatives and support for renters.
Transit: Funding for Westside on-demand service and frequent east-west transit routes.
Justice Court: Funding for public-facing court operations and support staff for a sixth Justice Court judge to strengthen diversion programs.
Property tax increase and timeline
The FY27 budget, which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, includes a proposed $13.5 million property tax increase to address inflation and rising operational costs.
Future public hearing schedule
Because of this increase, the adoption process for the property tax portion will continue into August. In accordance with Utah state law, the Council is scheduled to host a Truth in Taxation public hearing on August 11, 2026, before final rates are implemented.
