Although Mayor Peter Corroon has trimmed the overall balance sheet from $811 million in 2006 to $805 million for next year, he is proposing a host of new initiatives ranging from a research park to comprehensive recycling.
Highlights include reopening one jail unit, about 64 beds, for expanded treatment programs along with seven new deputies for White City and Millcreek Township. Oxbow Jail would remain closed. Corroon also has called for new senior centers in Magna and northwest Salt Lake City, new libraries in Magna, Millcreek Township and Herriman and $250,000 in small-business seed money for a technology park to house high-tech jobs.
"Again this year, I think it's about planning and not politics," said the Democratic mayor.
Republicans and Democrats praised the presentation and took little issue with the content.
"The priorities are motherhood and apple pie," GOP Councilman Mark Crockett said before suggesting "a number" of tweaks are likely. "On its face, it seems in the ballpark."
Darrin Casper, Corroon's chief financial officer, notes many of the divisions were held below the rate of inflation.
The biggest loser in the budget: Sheriff Aaron Kennard, who wanted Oxbow and a second jail unit reopened, along with 11 additional deputies and more pay for staffers. The Republican sheriff's wish list was $10 million higher than Corroon granted.
"I have no reaction until I can go through it with my people," Kennard said, walking out of the council chamber.
Corroon also has proposed spending $400,000 to fully immunize all children under age 2 in the county health system, some 11,000 kids, as well as more staffers for an after-school program in Kearns.
His budget allocates $7.5 million for maintenance projects - from recreation-center updates and new sidewalks to much-needed flood drainage in Millcreek. Corroon also wants to add 12 contract employees (for three years) to help plan the west bench along with open space and Zoo, Arts and Parks projects - if voters approve the latter two measures Nov. 7.
"We're investing in people and current facilities," said Doug Willmore, Corroon's chief administrative officer.
On the green front, Corroon wants to launch a recycling program that would provide large blue bins to 100 percent of people in the county's sanitation district. Cost to consumers who currently sign up for the county recycling program would decrease. The mayor also has called for the continued cleanup of the Jordan River and energy-efficient practices such as water conservation and use of renewables.
Staffers joke Corroon literally walks the enviro walk, often stopping to sift through trash bins for recyclables. In 2006, Willmore notes the energy-conscious mayor slashed utility costs by $150,000 at the County Government Center alone - a priority he wants to take countywide.
"Those things total up to a lot of money in a government of this size," Willmore said.
Two new positions in the budget include an emergency-planning director and an associate director for the recently created Administrative Services Department. That operation, which conducts oversight of scandal-plagued county divisions such as fleet and personnel, already has saved taxpayers some $3 million, according to Willmore.
"What started two years ago under this administration will continue," he said.
Employees would receive a 4.75 percent pay raise under the plan, while increasing insurance costs would be mostly offset by tapping a fund balance that had exceeded its 20 percent threshold by nearly $3 million.
Auditor Sean Thomas, a Republican, called the spreadsheet responsible and balanced. "I frankly thought it was fairly conservative," he said.
Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch said it was the best budget presentation he has seen in six years, adding the only quibble may occur over employee compensation and the sheriff's budget.
djensen@sltrib.com
What's next
The Salt Lake County Council will hold a series of hearings on the budget later this month, while final adoption - and a public hearing - is scheduled for Dec. 5.
