WFRC budget committee recommends release of streamlined goals, backs $1.1M activity-based travel model as federal funding uncertainty looms

The Wasatch Front Regional Council Budget Committee voted March 17 to recommend that the full council release the agency’s draft goals, proposed FY2026 budget and the unified planning work program for public review and comment.

Committee members opened the meeting with a review of a shortened, three-goal framework staff proposed to replace a longer multi-page list. Andrew Gruber, the council’s executive director, said the staff condensed the goals to focus on ‘‘collaboratively advance the Wasatch Choice vision to accommodate growth and enhance quality of life,’’ plus two supporting goals: providing subject-matter expertise to officials and striving for organizational excellence.

Gruber said the streamlined goals are intended to state what the council will accomplish while leaving the ‘‘how’’—detailed tactics and project work—to subsequent staff briefings and committee oversight. Marion (staff) and other presenters walked members through the proposed FY2026 budget, which staff described as largely flat year to year with a roughly 3% overall increase and continued emphasis on staffing and contractual project work.

A major line item highlighted in the draft budget is a planned activity-based travel demand model development project with a total estimated cost of about $1.1 million. Gruber and staff said WFRC expects partner contributions from UDOT, UTA and MAG and plans to program several hundred thousand dollars of WFRC-managed federal funds (PL/STP) into the first year of the multi-year project. Marion explained a portion of the model work would be carried out over three years and noted the budget currently shows the first-year expenses; carryforward and partner revenues will be reflected in the amended budget in October.

Committee discussion also focused on federal funding context. Gruber and others emphasized that WFRC’s core planning operations rely primarily on stable federal formula dollars (PL metropolitan planning funds, STP and FTA planning funds) tied to multi-year authorization, but said discretionary grant programs added by recent federal legislation are under national review. Gruber warned that discretionary programs have been paused for review and some awards are on hold; he cited WFRC’s phase 2 Safe Streets for All corridor-planning grant as one example that is currently on hold.

Members pressed staff on contingency and risk management. Gruber described WFRC’s conservative budgeting practices, including a lag in fund use and a fund-balance posture that staff said provides operating stability should short-term federal decisions change. Commissioner Bob Stevenson and other members expressed support for the conservative approach while urging continued close monitoring.

The committee voted to recommend the materials be released to the council for public review and comment. The committee also confirmed the schedule: the council will consider the same materials at the full council meeting on March 27, and final action on the budget package is expected in May following public review.

Ending: Committee members thanked staff for the package and for follow-up work on the activity-based model and federal funding issues. Staff said they would continue to update the committee and the council as federal guidance and partner commitments evolve.