[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6228753,"mediaKeyId","3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee","parentId",3466925,"title","Economic Development proposes transfer of Arts Council, trims construction-mitigation grants and seeks ongoing Open Streets funding","audioSeconds",648,"startMs",4812000,"endMs",5460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee&start=4812&end=5460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee/thumbnail_4812000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228753/Salt-Lake-City/Salt-Lake-County/Utah/Economic-Development-proposes-transfer-of-Arts-Council-trims-construction-mitigation-grants-and-seeks-ongoing-Open-Streets-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228753-6af114bd962d7783d8531ed4b40585d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124605&Signature=WnzIzGTrMedWWtClY2LNDtihFwUNj5pbQkWd9wDjShry3VxPDQEDt0Fv23LK44HCo5I6X-us6aQT2Z3f2KhU6SZnzuG0FWczqIHaC8xzar0WHobGbgOssjEfrhnUKY3Hsz7i2pDzAU8kDjk0~Q-5qfhMeEBkcG-5gfZ0cY9gcKXEQucH21EHnkGU3fOSpD773r9Ncm4K4TzDaKeKm17u~-DbvaVouLeyS6l~cZdzcILAEqnw984NL6aiXw96h7iROdPdPIqEcMU1HlHPC2A4VTRKyUKptLMLjS4lB~VIRsfnpmSQtBqIjGbEDybUC6tbNS2UjX-lXSSccowC6PB~tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salt Lake City, Utah","date","2025-05-23T17:59:01.683Z","article","Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development presented a FY26 package that would reduce its budget by roughly $1.9 million (about a 39% decrease from FY25) largely because the administration proposes transferring the Arts Council and Arts Council Foundation to the Department of Community and Neighborhoods.

The department said the transfer would reduce personnel and other costs by approximately $1.3 million. Economic Development also proposed lowering the construction mitigation grant allocation from about $600,000 last year to roughly $350,000 in FY26, citing an expected decline in the size and duration of major construction projects. Finally, the department asked to make Open Streets funding an ongoing nondepartmental item to avoid annual RFPs and provide stable administration of the city’s pedestrianized events.

Why it matters: the construction mitigation program and Open Streets are high-touch tools for small-business support and downtown activation; changes to funding levels and administrative homes can affect outreach timing and program reach.

Construction mitigation grants and business outreach
Staff said the construction mitigation program historically provided one-time payments (recently $3,000 per eligible business) to help small businesses through construction disruption. The department estimates that fully funding every affected business around identified construction projects could cost about $650,000; with a typical application rate of roughly 50% the department expects demand nearer $350,000. Staff emphasized they will carry over unused funds from the current year and coordinate with Engineering and other departments on outreach.

Open Streets and Arts Council transfer
Economic Development asked to make Open Streets an ongoing expense to reduce administrative burden and give event contractors confidence to secure sponsors and plan multi-year activations. Separately, the administration’s transmittal proposes moving the Arts Council and its foundation to Community and Neighborhoods, a change staff said will shift approximately $1.3 million in budget responsibility between departments.

Council questions
Council members voiced concern about whether the reduced construction-mitigation allocation would be sufficient in areas with concentrated construction and asked for clarity on how funds would be targeted. Staff indicated the amount is calibrated to projected need and said they will continue outreach and work with the CRA and other partners where gaps remain. Council members also raised the role of façade grants and other tenant-improvement tools, which are administered outside Economic Development.

Ending
Staff said they will refine the construction-mitigation estimates, continue business outreach and coordinate with Community and Neighborhoods and the CRA as the transfer and open-streets funding are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salt Lake City Council Work Session - 05/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Department proposed a FY26 budget reduction of about $1.9 million, driven by an administrative transfer of the Arts Council and a proposed $250,000 cut to the construction mitigation grant pool, while asking to make Open Streets funding ongoing.","taxTitle","Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah","taxId",2941,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6228758,"Golf enterprise draws down CIP for major reinvestment; staff project revenue increases and water-savings plans",1080,3600000,4680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee&start=3600&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6228758/Salt-Lake-City/Salt-Lake-County/Utah/Golf-enterprise-draws-down-CIP-for-major-reinvestment-staff-project-revenue-increases-and-water-savings-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228758-3a9ef330762c7c2a28da8791ac0673eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124605&Signature=otjh0wRLNvU-DKl7lFlCq~AymxBLrs5BNByBJ~5E-4dYLf1ZOoZw86Ltplb86VrTMLKgW7bT0TfozWcCg4OCATF1TCn11U203gegYFGphby7fEuCpjchTcK6EGq3fA8FnBHgkTgLOj3VcJQtgvjS1gNg-aH7Oz2V5DPV~GtizwbqSIFIDAGT1RcPMM6nnQZhwTCmF~sKxlz1U8eHOJz86o3lZAdPQVC9knaPMoo3OOD7~Ov1LB8ryNE4sJiAEtgqdqdtJpn~G~FNJfTLDw9TKmur2-Xu~RN-0ZJoKQEr1uZHXmkYRB6FYvMKOJYoZQ6vvhN86SpM7xphZr~Pow4igg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Salt Lake City’s golf division told the City Council it expects to use the golf CIP fund to finance major capital reinvestments in FY26 while continuing to reduce the general-fund subsidy to the enterprise.

The division reported projected FY26 capital reinvestment of $5.9 million (on top of $7.7 million the previous year) and cited projects such as tee-box leveling across multiple courses, cart-path improvements, driving-range upgrades at Glendale/Bonneville and a $3 million irrigation modernization at Nibley Park. Staff said the golf revenue budget is projected near $14.2 million and the expenditure budget would be about $26.6 million, with the CIP draw enabling larger infrastructure work.

Why it matters: golf operations are a sizeable city enterprise with long-term deferred-capital needs; decisions affect water consumption, public recreation, and the city’s enterprise-fund balance.

Revenue, subsidies and deferred capital
Matt (golf division leader) said rounds have risen (16% in FY25 and about 6.5% ahead of last year so far in the current fiscal year). The division projects a $537,000 revenue increase in FY26 based predominantly on user-fee adjustments and anticipated new capacity from completed projects. Staff said the total general-fund subsidy to golf would fall from $2.1 million to $1.8 million in FY26.

Water usage and drought planning
Staff emphasized water use as the single largest budget pressure: golf’s water budget is about $1.4 million and staff said irrigation costs and aging systems — the Rose Park system is roughly 65 years old — are primary drivers. Staff described plans to reduce irrigated turf (Rose Park work is projected to cut irrigated turf by about 25% and project a 44% reduction in water use for that course) and to pilot drought-tolerant turf varieties with Utah State University.

Capital projects and expected outcomes
Planned FY26 projects include tee-box leveling (multi-year), cart-path improvements, three course restrooms, three new maintenance buildings, the Glendale driving-range design and funds to convert manual irrigation at Nibley Park. Staff said purchasing new carts last year reduced lease expenses and contributed to lower contractual inflationary costs for FY26.

Questions from council members
Council members asked for water-use metrics (gallons saved) and for more detail on revenue-producing partnerships or RFIs (requests for interest) for private partners. Staff said no RFI is underway now but that conversations with potential partners continue on an ad-hoc basis.

Ending
The golf division described itself as moving toward reinvestment and reduced subsidy through capital projects and fee adjustments; council members asked staff to return with water-consumption metrics once projects (Rose Park irrigation, Glendale driving-range) are complete.","Salt Lake City's golf division plans $5.9 million in capital reinvestments for FY26 and expects revenue increases tied to Rose Park irrigation completion and a new driving-range facility; staff said water-use reductions are a target but noted many irrigation systems are decades old and investments will be required to realize savings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6228763,"Salt Lake City plans multi-step process to address Foothills trail controversies; working group and interagency agreement planned",336,2604000,2940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee&start=2604&end=2940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee/thumbnail_2604000.jpg","/articles/6228763/Salt-Lake-City/Salt-Lake-County/Utah/Salt-Lake-City-plans-multi-step-process-to-address-Foothills-trail-controversies-working-group-and-interagency-agreement-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228763-6b6a5eb63ac85db87cee6d2901d157f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124605&Signature=O-tbPr9XCnZavly2BTo0J0qUaKH3udsx~Fh8KB8HcQeH6VZepIeYaCFGEq5wtIhEp-5CSDRxwp1~-ctnktlD4e6B8WZa7eFapPGMBjT8OyNeqxsY7djjPTchLWPjP-EqfdQbC5rmgyxyikn3T8DLZDjopxPZhwtL8mBeBmqNb8BA-5CFUyA~N2c1gOTPFWA5BPtINHFeDXIul~AB45knZQ6EtiriVc12EWupbMRfpjLnreFLsYcrmLBSbdjl6PoYsgLuWhfh6KyKqKYP7ZRQwRb71JYrQpu~Qil6Xj3Zqwi3aEQ5qVDDrZmORlSA4Gl4tlGbZh-5sjVDijpcclM-pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Salt Lake City staff told council members they will pursue a three-part process this summer and fall to resolve long-running disputes over Foothills trail management and a 2021 construction pause.

The department plans to contract a consultant for a small-area plan covering the Upper Avenues and Twin Peaks to examine trail alignments, decommissioning, trailhead infrastructure and restoration. That consultant work is booked through mid-summer and staff expect the planning document to be ready by late fall or winter for council consideration.

Why it matters: the Foothills include multiple landowners and high public interest; decisions about trail building, restoration and decommissioning affect recreation, habitat and neighborhood impact in several districts.

Interagency management agreement and stakeholders
Public Lands staff said they are drafting a Foothill management agreement with five major landowners: Salt Lake City (public lands), Salt Lake City Public Utilities, U.S. Forest Service, Utah State Parks, and the University of Utah. Staff said they anticipate a first draft of that cross-jurisdictional agreement by June and described the agreement as an important mechanism to coordinate management and maintenance responsibilities across boundaries.

The department also plans to establish a foothills stakeholder working group this year, with membership still to be determined. An environmental dispute-resolution firm from the University of Utah will help craft the working group and support the planning process, staff said.

What has already happened and next steps
Staff described three ongoing strands of work tied to the foothills plan: (1) consultant-led small-area planning for the Upper Avenues and Twin Peaks, (2) the interagency foothill management agreement with five landowners that would align management responsibilities across jurisdictions, and (3) establishment of the foothills stakeholder working group to guide planning and implementation. Staff said initial GIS mapping, weed surveys and habitat coordination have already begun prior to consultant work.

Council requests and communications
Council members urged better public communication about the distinction between maintenance/rehabilitation projects and new construction. Public Lands staff said they will provide clearer definitions of “maintenance,” “rehabilitation,” and “trail construction” and will circulate those to council and the public. Staff committed to return with public-facing materials and the small-area plan results before winter; they also said the stakeholder working group could be formed as early as the fall.

Ending
Staff said the larger plan and the multiagency agreement are intended to clarify responsibilities for maintenance and funding and to reduce confusion about projects in the Foothills; council members asked for regular updates and stronger outreach to community councils and neighborhood stakeholders.","City staff outlined a three-part plan to address the paused Foothills trail work: a small-area planning effort with consultants for the Upper Avenues and Twin Peaks, a Foothill management agreement among five landowners, and establishment of a foothills stakeholder working group to guide trail alignments, decommissioning and restoration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6228768,"Salt Lake City officials seek $2.7 million for public-lands operations, expand park security and restrooms",3540,0,3540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee&start=0&end=3540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3466925-24085359d358aa495bb2a9eeca3bc8ee/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6228768/Salt-Lake-City/Salt-Lake-County/Utah/Salt-Lake-City-officials-seek-27-million-for-public-lands-operations-expand-park-security-and-restrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228768-5c68d2e7e4b44df90c4d0414357e5e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124605&Signature=mHvqkzkjP4X4qkytRIrmfj-f4ycj~touFqCzlWACbgX0JwgZHksotuj-q~l9mDinDlDz~j4ci6MrabOQB8NSkOJi61aT9r2~-WpqJ~mcyA9iI-rNZKfjqaec8fj31L1gVKx78koFEz4vvBxubDK5Jbwaua1KS21AKxfC~Yzqx8jXaENNKHFHezrawkPp6e1twej9ElipSqTd0dvfU1Cd~USXLXaZMK~2QLyiygwXnY0MjOlS9IM81f6nbYaOOJoDcUESDFLx3ky2othwoQ-rnBAIfQ3CiOPB1zO8aw~A~R~HGqhZybKgey4sSRtuwAloQgXHTEtdVFkuukR2d35kJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Salt Lake City’s Department of Public Lands presented a proposed FY26 budget increase of about $2.7 million to the City Council on May 1, asking for funding to address rising utility costs, deferred maintenance and expanded park services across the city.

The budget request would raise the department’s overall FY26 spending — excluding the golf enterprise fund — by roughly 13 percent over FY25, staff said, with capital investments and higher utility charges cited as the main drivers. Kim Shelley, director of the Department of Public Lands, told the council that “52% of our FTEs are within our park operations” and that the department manages 429 water meters (not including golf), each billed under different rate schedules.

Why it matters: council members repeatedly pressed staff about water conservation, deferred maintenance backlogs and how park security and ranger duties are measured. The requests affect how the city maintains park restrooms, irrigates turf and staffs seasonal operations that support events and routine upkeep.

Public-lands priorities and specifics
Staff said one of the largest single inflationary requests is ongoing funding of $950,091 to help maintain and irrigate public spaces and to support an ongoing sycamore tree study. The department is also seeking $515,000 to expand restroom service coverage from 27 restrooms to all 39 park restrooms citywide and requested an increase in seasonal hours to 15,717 to meet higher maintenance demand.

Shelley described capital projects funded in part by the 2022 GEO bond as the “largest driver” of increases. She said operations and maintenance would grow by 4.7% and noted the department’s full-time staffing would drop from 165.85 to 159.85 FTEs because a graffiti services team and a supervisor are being transferred to Public Services; titles and salary-grade changes tied to last year’s market-pay adjustments also changed counts.

Data and how priorities were chosen
Deputy Director Tyler Murdoch described how the department selects parks for increased patrols and restroom service based on maintenance logs and call tracking. “We collect maintenance data in Cartograph,” Murdoch said, explaining that Cartograph and Salesforce call logs identify higher-maintenance locations and help prioritize where contracted patrols and repairs are deployed.

Murdoch said patrols and contracted security have focused on parks with higher incidents of vandalism or hazardous materials — Liberty Park, Allen Park, Fairmont Park and Herman Franks on the east side and locations along the Jordan River and Cottonwood Park on the west side. Several council members pressed for clarification that comp-stat crime data, police records or other data sources could be incorporated; staff said they would work with Police and other departments as priorities evolve.

Park rangers: metrics and role discussion
Shelley provided quarterly metrics in response to council questions: park rangers logged about 3,900 patrol hours, “greeted visitors of the parks 13,645 times,” removed roughly 4,976 hazardous items (needles, broken glass) and handled about 1,500 litter-removal instances in the first quarter of the year. Council members asked whether those activities align with the program’s original goals and requested a deeper review of park-ranger outcomes and training to better integrate rangers with other public-safety and outreach efforts.

Deferred maintenance, irrigation and water conservation
Council members urged clearer metrics on deferred maintenance spending and water usage. Staff said the department is completing a Strategic Capital Asset Management Plan (SCAMP) that will inventory about 6,000 amenities citywide and produce annual funding needs for deferred maintenance by year-end. On irrigation, staff noted many older systems lack separate tree vs. turf irrigation lines; replacing or redesigning systems can protect urban canopy while cutting overhead irrigation in drought periods.

Operational adjustments and fleet/equipment
Council members also asked about fleet and equipment maintenance. Staff said recent vacancy-savings reallocations and one-time funding have allowed the department to accelerate equipment replacement; one line-item in the property-maintenance request (about $333,000) would go to fleet to address aging mowers and other mission-critical equipment.

What the council asked staff to do
Council members requested more detailed tracking of water gallons saved after system upgrades, deeper metrics and a follow-up briefing on the park-ranger program’s goals and outcomes, and an update on the SCAMP findings when available. Staff agreed to return with more data on irrigation water savings and deferred-maintenance needs.

Ending
The council did not take a vote on the public-lands requests in the session; staff said they would return with additional detail on deferred maintenance, park-ranger metrics and water-use savings as the FY26 budget process proceeds.","Salt Lake City’s Department of Public Lands asked the City Council to approve roughly $2.7 million in ongoing FY26 budget requests covering inflation, irrigation, seasonal staffing, park security contracts and the transfer of the graffiti team; staff stressed irrigation costs, deferred maintenance and data-driven targeting for security patrols.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Economic Development proposes transfer of Arts Council, trims construction-mitigation grants and seeks ongoing Open Streets funding

Golf enterprise draws down CIP for major reinvestment; staff project revenue increases and water-savings plans

Salt Lake City plans multi-step process to address Foothills trail controversies; working group and interagency agreement planned

Salt Lake City officials seek $2.7 million for public-lands operations, expand park security and restrooms