The average Salt Lake City household can expect to pay over $400 more in estimated taxes and fees this year due to increased demand for city services, according to the mayor’s fiscal 2024-25 budget.
The City Council adopted the nearly $2 billion citywide budget June 11. The biggest portion of the budget — about 29% of the total funds — will fuel the Department of Airports. The next two largest portions include the city’s Public Utilities Department and general fund, which account for 28% and 24% of the budget, respectively.
“We adopted a balanced budget amid unprecedented growth pressures, which only illuminated our enormous responsibility as stewards of public funds. In that vein, we aimed to care for our city and residents as we grow holistically,” council Chair Victoria Petro said in a news release. “We are also eager to embark on a zero-based budgeting effort during the coming year, justifying every taxpayer expense from scratch.”
Where the money is going
The airport’s $576 million budget includes $3.2 million for 25 new full-time employees across Salt Lake City International Airport, Tooele Valley Airport and South Valley Regional Airport, according to the city’s budget website.
One of the biggest expenditures will be for airport upgrades, including over $147 million for taxiway improvements, electric vehicle charging stations and hangar renovations.
The airport’s funding comes from earnings, fees, bonds and grants.
For the Public Utilities Department’s $553 million spending plan, residents will foot the bill for 4% rate increases for water and sewer, along with 10% hikes for stormwater and streetlights. These increases will pay for costs associated with state and federal regulations, according to the budget, and will keep up with inflation and aging infrastructure.
Recent drought conditions have had a “significant revenue impact” on water utilities, according to the budget website, so the Public Utilities Department will also institute a new monthly fee for water and sewer costs. That new fee will account for revenue lost to water conservation.
Together, the utility increases are projected to run the average household about $288 more per year.
On top of higher utility costs, residents can expect to pay $2 to $3 a month more in garbage fees, depending on the size of their trash container. For those with a 90-gallon can, this will amount to an additional $36 a year, upping the total tax and fee increases to $324 for the average home.
Inflation is driving the garbage fee increase, according to the city’s sustainability website. The increase will also go toward a reserve fund for emergency refuse situations, like the large-scale debris cleanup after a 2020 windstorm.
Tax hikes for the library fund and the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy are the last two increases to hit city taxpayers.
The library fund is expected to cost residents about $40, adding about $5.3 million in revenue for the library. The metro water district rate increase will cost households $50 annually to pay for infrastructure upgrades and expansion.
After the tax hikes, utility costs and garbage fee increases, households will be paying a projected grand total of more than $400 a year, or about $34 a month.
These rates will be effective July 1, according to the city’s website.
Other budget highlights
Beyond budgets for the airports and public utilities, the council also approved the following items for the next fiscal year:
• A 26% salary increase for the mayor and City Council members, bringing their wages to about $212,000 and $53,000, respectively, along with a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for all city employees.
• Enhancements to the Jordan River area, including public restroom facilities, parks maintenance, noise enforcement, and traffic safety measures on neighborhood streets.
• $2 million for the city’s “Livable Streets” initiative, which installs safety measures on neighborhood roads.
• Nearly $250,000 for four ongoing programs in the police department, including a therapy program for families involved in negative police interactions.
• A $100,000 increase to the annual Arts, Culture and Events Fund and funding for public art enhancements, including Japantown art and the reinstallation of the historic “The Gulls of Salt Lake City” installation downtown.
• Added resources to maintain city parks and public lands as they experience increased pressure from Utahns experiencing homelessness.
Follow @jordanrmillerr