Sandy City Council Tentatively Adopts FY 2025-26 Budget with $1M Cuts on May 6, 2025

On May 6, 2025, the Sandy City Council held a public hearing to consider tentative adoption of the Mayor's FY 2025-26 budget for Sandy City and the Alta Canyon Recreation District. The budget includes approximately $1 million in cuts, no property or sales tax increase, a 3.4% compensation plan increase, and a funding plan for the Alta Canyon Sports Center rebuild. The council voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution 25-17C, the tentative budget. The meeting also included general citizen comment, council member reports, and a closed session on personnel matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Van Maren (Draper resident): Commented on the elimination of city positions, noting that one position (community development) was not listed on Brian Kelly's slide but was mentioned by the Mayor. He also requested a correction to the budget document where the first page inside the cover stated "final budget" instead of "tentative budget."
• Tim Gibson (Sandy resident): Thanked the council for their service and raised a concern about an incident from the previous week's meeting involving an intoxicated individual in the council chambers, urging the council to address the issue.

Discussion Items

Tentative Budget Presentation

• Mayor Monica Zoltanski presented the FY 2025-26 tentative budget, calling it a "very disciplined budget" that includes $1 million in cuts from the prior year's budget, achieved through reduced operations, workforce reductions, and cuts to personnel. The budget does not include any increases to property or sales taxes. She highlighted the rebuild of Alta Canyon Sports Center, the SEG NHL hockey training facility, and Fire Station 31 as key projects. The Mayor announced a $1 million donation from the Miller Family Foundation toward the Alta Canyon Sports Center rebuild and expressed confidence in closing the remaining funding gap through TRCC grants and other sources.
• Brian Kelly, Administrative Services Director, provided a detailed overview of the budget, including revenue projections, expenditure prioritization, and key challenges. He noted that sales tax growth is modest and insufficient to cover inflation, leading to a $2.8 million gap between requested needs ($4.7 million) and available revenue ($1.9 million). The budget prioritizes employee compensation, fleet replacement, street reconstruction, and the Alta Canyon Sports Center funding plan (total $21.14 million). The budget also includes a $2.50 per month increase in stormwater utility rates.
• Katrina Frederick, Human Resources Director, presented the FY 2026 compensation plan, which includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), step and grade increases for police and fire (totaling $870,000), performance evaluation adjustments for non-sworn employees ($905,000), and benefit increases. The total compensation increase is 3.4% ($2.16 million for general fund). The plan is funded in part by turnover savings and reductions in Utah Retirement System rates. The Mayor noted that five positions are being eliminated: two in justice court, one in animal control, one in community development, and one in the attorney's office.
• Councilmembers asked questions: Councilmember Brooke D'Sousa clarified the difference between merit and performance evaluation adjustments; Councilmember Marci Houseman raised concerns about the contrast between a reduction in force and a higher COLA compared to the prior year. Staff responded that all affected employees had been notified and offered severance packages, and that the council could restore positions if desired.

Council Member Business

• Councilmember Ryan Mecham thanked the Police Department for their annual banquet and the Mayor for securing the Miller Foundation donation.
• Councilmember Aaron Dekeyzer congratulated the Mayor on the donation, reported on a Utah Foundation luncheon, and noted a sinkhole incident in the city. He also outlined plans for orderly budget meetings with reserved dates for council budget changes.
• Councilmember Alison Stroud reported on the Healthy Sandy Committee meeting, which focused on suicide awareness and mental health. She also mentioned the Fiesta 5K event and thanked the Police Department for their banquet.
• Councilmember Brooke D'Sousa addressed issues raised by a public auditor regarding a previous meeting incident.
• Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey requested a presentation on non-departmental expenditures during upcoming budget presentations.

Mayor's Report

• Mayor Zoltanski announced upcoming events: the Pacific Nations Cup news conference at America First Field (May 7), a UDOT open house on SR209 traffic solutions (May 7), ribbon cuttings for Super Chicks and Snell Rose ice cream, and the Sandy Wetlands Park dedication (May 8). She recognized the Police Department awards and Lamar Beckstead receiving the Dick Adair Award.

CAO Report

• Shane Pace, CAO, invited the council to the employee luncheon on May 7.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Tentative Budget: The council voted 6-0 (with Councilmember Zach Robinson excused) to adopt Resolution 25-17C, adopting the tentative FY 2025-26 budgets for Sandy City and the Alta Canyon Recreation District. The final adoption deadline is June 24, 2025.
• Closed Session: Following the meeting, the council voted 6-0 to convene a closed session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical/mental health of an individual. The meeting adjourned immediately after the closed session.