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State halves funding for Local Administrative Advisor program; WFRC explores short-term measures to keep position
Summary
Committee members discussed a March 17 notice that the state cut Local Administrative Advisor (LAA) funding in half. WFRC staff said they expect to keep the LAA position in the short term using carryforward funds while seeking partner contributions and other sources.
Members of the Wasatch Front Regional Council Budget Committee discussed a late-session state budget decision that cut by half the funding routed to the Local Administrative Advisor (LAA) program, which provides a dedicated advisor for smaller and rural communities.
Marion (staff) explained the program was funded at $150,000 per year to support an LAA position housed at WFRC (Madison Avila was named in the meeting as the current LAA). According to staff, that $150,000 annual allocation was reduced by the state at the end of the legislative session. Marion told the committee WFRC and partner agencies are in active discussions with the League of Cities and Towns and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (GOPB) to assess options and to identify other potential funding sources.
Andrew Gruber said WFRC has a mix of federal, state and local funds and that short-term carryforward dollars within WFRC’s budget should allow the agency to retain the LAA in the immediate term. Marion added that because the LAA was hired in January and some program dollars were carried forward, WFRC currently has sufficient funds to keep the position into the next fiscal year while partners seek a longer-term solution.
Committee members, including Mayor Jeff Silvestrini and Commissioner Bob Stevenson, expressed support for preserving the LAA role and urged staff to explore state, local and federal funding options. The committee did not take a formal vote on a funding reallocation at the meeting; staff said they would continue discussions with partners and bring any needed budget adjustments back to the committee for action.
Ending: Staff committed to report back on funding options and any proposed budget changes before final adoption in May.
