The $743 million budget varies "very little" from acting Mayor Alan Dayton's proposed operating figures, according to fiscal analyst Darrin Casper, and will be posted today at the County Government Center.
Highlights include personnel shifts - most notably Dayton's retention for three months at $50,000 to help lobby the Legislature come January and guide the transition to Mayor-elect Peter Corroon's administration.
Dayton's top appointee, Kara Trevino, will move from the mayor's office to the County Council office. The council also created a new legislative analyst position to help review budget matters and legislative action.
Councilman Michael Jensen said the new hire may help insulate the county from legislators who are frequently "antagonized" by Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.
"I fear Salt Lake County is going to face the brunt of the Legislature's wrath," he said.
The council has yet to select a person for the job, which will pay up to $85,000 a year in salary and benefits.
County employees fare well in the new proposed budget. Despite the elimination of car allowances, which affects only about two dozen people, employees received a 2.7 percent merit boost and a 1 percent cost-of-living increase.
In addition, employees will continue to receive a flat rate for prescription drugs - instead of paying a percentage to offset costs, as Dayton had proposed. And employees who lose weight or quit smoking under the county's healthy-lifestyles program may qualify for other financial incentives.
Recreation enthusiasts also will get a new place to stretch their legs after the council negotiated a $2 million deal with the University of Utah for use of the school's new indoor practice facility. County recreation leagues, including indoor soccer and lacrosse, will have access to the complex on weekday evenings and weekends.
When tentatively approving its government operations line item, council members joked about including so-called legislative intent banning political decals from county-run buildings and signs.
"It's not necessary now," quipped Council Chairman Steve Harmsen, in a reference to the ubiquitous "Nancy Workman" signs touting the mayor across the Salt Lake Valley.
In other budget items:
l The sheriff's office will get two new deputies for canyon patrol and one for countywide drug enforcement.
l Two full-time employees and $100,000 were appropriated for the county's drug court.
l $100,000 was added for traffic-calming measures including speed bumps and raised crosswalks.
l Five new employees and $25,000 were added to the county fleet operation.
To help offset continuing setup costs for the county's Unified Fire Authority, the council approved a property tax increase for residents in unincorporated Salt Lake County and Cottonwood Heights. However, the amount - $15.42 a month on a $175,000 home - will be offset by a corresponding tax decrease in the municipal services fund. As a result, the tax burden on residents will be a wash, explained budget director Lance Brown.
If passed as proposed - a public hearing is scheduled just prior to adoption Dec. 7 - the budget's general fund would maintain its 10 percent cash reserve. Overall, county officials have vowed to remain fiscally responsible in an effort to save $12 million over the next five years.
Along those lines, incoming Mayor Corroon, who sat through the budget workshops, insisted on the 30 percent cut in the mayor's office. He told the council it was a campaign promise he expects to keep.
djensen@sltrib.com
Hearing set
A public hearing on Salt Lake County's 2005 budget is scheduled for Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. in the County Government Center, 2001 S. State St. A vote to adopt the $743 million spending plan is expected afterward.
