Sandy City Council Meeting – May 20, 2025: Budget Presentations, Annexation, and Policy Amendments

The Sandy City Council met on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, beginning at 5:15 PM in City Hall, to receive department budget presentations, hold a public hearing on a proposed annexation, and consider a first reading of amendments to the event participation policy for city officials. The meeting included general citizen comments and concluded with a closed session at 10:08 PM. All seven council members were present except Councilmember Marci Houseman joined at 5:29 PM and was excused from the annexation vote.

Consent Calendar

• Appointment of Paul Mismaque to the Sandy City Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee – approved unanimously.
• Amendment to the 2025 City Council Annual Meeting Schedule (Resolution #25-19C) – approved unanimously.
• Amendments to Sandy City Code Chapter 10-9 regarding motor assisted scooters and electric assisted bicycles (Ordinance 25-12) – approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tim Gibson filed an official complaint against Council Chair Aaron Dekeyzer regarding his conduct at the April 29 council meeting, providing copies of the complaint to the Council Director.
• Craig Ulrich urged the council to continue reducing expenditures and being fiscally responsible, noting that the 15% property tax increase from last year should provide revenue for several years.
• Shana Davis surveyed her neighbors; most prefer the printed newsletter and she expressed support for continuing to mail it.
• Kellie Forbes suggested an opt-in process for the printed newsletter and mailing it with utility bills to reduce costs.
• Cathy Spuck supported the previous year’s property tax increase, stating it was an honest assessment of needs, and appreciated that no increase is proposed this year.
• Glen Burton raised safety concerns about traffic lights remaining green when train crossing arms are down at TRAX intersections.

Discussion Items

• Comcast RISE Presentation – Nate Martinez, Comcast Government Affairs Manager, presented the Comcast RISE grant program, which will award 100 Utah businesses a $5,000 monetary grant, technology makeover, and marketing package. Applications are due May 31, 2025. The program focuses on economic growth in the South Valley including Sandy.

• Department Budget Presentations for FY 2026 – Several departments presented their tentative budgets:

  • Public Works (Ryan Kump): Requested reclassification of a street laborer, reinstatement of a surveyor FTE, increased road striping funding, and noted a $1.7 M ongoing fleet replacement (highest ever proposed). Cuts included an unfilled engineering assistant and other line items totaling ~1% of the general fund.
  • Public Utilities (Myrna Groomer): Proposed a stormwater rate increase of $2.50 per ERU per month (first increase in 12–13 years) to fund capital projects. Water fund has $5.1 M for mainline replacements. Cuts included a $700K decrease from bond payoffs and reduced credit card processing fees. No water rate increase this year.
  • Administrative Services (Brian Kelley): Cut $59K from general fund divisions (1.1%) and $161K from IT (5%). Highlights included maintaining AAA bond rating, upcoming Workday ERP implementation, and a capital request for a $140K boiler replacement.
  • City Attorney (Lynn Pace): Over 97% of budget is salaries. Proposed a reclassification to create a real property manager position ($41K). Cuts totaled ~5% in general fund and 1% in risk management, with risk management line items reduced to zero in some cases, noted as unsustainable beyond one year.
  • Justice Court (Judge Paul Farr): Budget cut by approximately 12% due to elimination of 2.5 FTE positions. Caseload has dropped from 26,000 (2010) to ~12,000 recently. Judge Farr made early severance decisions to provide a soft landing for affected employees. Stressed importance of a local court for efficiency and public safety.
  • City Council Office (Dustin Fratto): Proposed cuts of 4.5% (net decrease of 1.6% from FY25). Concerns raised about reduced discretionary funds for council members ($1,500 each) and elimination of management study funding. Requested reclassification of a position and funds for eventual chamber remodel.
  • Community Development (James Sorensen): Cut 3% (~$110K), including elimination of a vacant contract inspector position. Received a $200K grant for land development code update, reducing needed city funds to $25K. Also requested short-term rental software ($15K) and position reclassification for planning.
  • Non-Departmental (Brian Kelley): Cut $91,558 from various line items, including leadership training, travel, citizen survey, and employee tuition reimbursement. Transfer of $20K for the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) fund was included.

• First Reading: Amendments to Policies and Procedures for Participation in Events by City Officials (sponsored by Sharkey, D'Sousa, and Stroud) – Proposed changes include removing the two-ticket limit for employees and clarifying the administrative passes section to reduce confusion. The policy has been in use for one year; these tweaks are based on experience. The item will return for a final decision.

Public Hearing(s)

• Hidden Hollow Annexation (R-1-40A Zone) – Approximately 5.5 acres at 10665 S. Dimple Dell Road and 3075 E. Deer Hollow Drive. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation. The applicant spoke in favor. No public comments. The council adopted Ordinance 25-13 by a roll call vote of 6–0 (Councilmember Houseman excused).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Hidden Hollow Annexation (Ordinance 25-13) with a 6–0 vote.
• Approved the Consent Calendar unanimously.
• Convened a closed session (6–1, Councilmember Dekeyzer opposed) to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical/mental health of an individual. The meeting adjourned immediately following the closed session.
• First reading of event policy amendments completed; further action scheduled for a future meeting.
• Budget presentations informational; council members will submit amendment proposals within 25 business days for final adoption.