City Council debates $52K cut to education training budget for 2023

The Riverton City Council convened on May 20, 2025, to discuss key budgetary items and address community concerns. The meeting began with an overview of the agenda, which included discussions on the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) fees, education and conference funding, and a proposal regarding water fund allocations.

The first item on the agenda was the ULCT fees. A council member expressed skepticism about the value of continuing membership, suggesting that hiring a lobbyist might yield better results for the city. Despite this, another council member advocated for reinstating the fees, citing the benefits of training and collective lobbying efforts. A motion was made to include the ULCT fees in the budget, which passed unanimously.

Next, the council turned its attention to the education and conference budget. The mayor had proposed a significant cut of approximately $52,000, which raised concerns among council members about the impact on employee training and morale. Several members voiced their support for maintaining a budget that allows for necessary training, with suggestions ranging from a $20,000 to a $30,000 cut instead of the proposed amount. Ultimately, a consensus emerged to reduce the education budget by $26,000, allowing the city manager discretion in allocating the remaining funds.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the budget allocations in the future, ensuring that training funds are utilized effectively. The council emphasized the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need for employee development and community engagement. The next steps include finalizing the budget for public hearings scheduled for June 3 and June 17.