Council authorizes straw poll to let police begin hiring for inland-port-funded positions

Salt Lake City finance and police staff presented Budget Amendment #5 item A2 asking the council to authorize the Police Department to begin hiring for positions funded by an interlocal agreement with the Utah Inland Port Authority. The amendment adds 12 sworn positions (two sergeants and ten officers, organized into two squads) and one civilian evidence technician to support public safety in and around the inland port area. Finance analysts said the amendment includes roughly $104 million in revenues and $112 million in expenditures across funds for 27 items; item A2 specifically funds the 13 positions and associated equipment through an interlocal agreement.

Chief Brian Redd described operational drivers in the northwest quadrant (street racing, illegal camping, property loss) and justified the additional staffing to provide a consistent presence. A council member noted the Inland Port Authority—s expansion creates service needs without local tax revenue, thanking the administration for negotiating funding. The council then took a straw poll to authorize hiring so the department could advertise for the May 2026 academy; the chair announced the straw poll result as unanimous. "This is unanimous," the chair said after members indicated their support. The item was not taken as a formal roll-call ordinance vote at the work session but the straw poll authorizes PD to begin recruitment processes.