Salt Lake County poised for hiring freeze amid ‘staggeringly low’ tax growth

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County is poised to pause hiring and eliminate dozens of vacant full-time positions as the county government faces a slowdown in tax revenue, Mayor Jenny Wilson said Tuesday.

Wilson outlined her priorities for the upcoming budget during an address to the County Council at the Salt Lake County Government Center on Tuesday. The county mayor addressed the tax slowdown, saying the belt-tightening measures are designed to prevent layoffs while preserving essential services for residents.

“It’s no secret that the economy has stretched thin by inflation and the high cost of goods. … Salt Lake County residents are faced with managing their households with less purchasing power per dollar,” she said.

“Our objective is clear: Spend money strategically without compromising the essential services our community relies on,” Wilson said.

She said tax revenues grew by less than 2% this year, a “staggeringly low amount.”

The budget request also includes significant cuts to travel expenses, which Wilson called “a proven, prudent move” to spend money on more important things. The cuts will save approximately $1 million, she said. Other cost-cutting measures include restricting personnel expenditures and county program budgets, and denying the vast majority of spending requests from different county departments.

“This year, the request review process was the most difficult that I’ve had in my time as mayor,” Wilson said. “With declining revenue growth, the downward bias in our property tax and rising health care costs to the county, 90% of new requests were denied.”

Most county employees would receive a general salary increase of 2.75%, along with a one-time bonus. While that increase is “far less” than she would like, Wilson said the county plans not to pass along increasing health care costs to employees with coverage plans.

Wilson also announced plans to open recreation centers free of charge to all kids in the county, noting that not all families can afford passes.

“At a time when our kids are far too often consumed by their cellphones … our rec centers are a place where these young people can come and explore new hobbies, discover new passions, build community, make new friends, and finally, learn some lessons that will help them later in life,” the mayor said. “Many of these kids come multiple times a week. … In fact, a few of the kids that come in regularly have been known to go on to get part-time jobs at the rec center, learning life skills and earning additional income.”

County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton acknowledged it will be a “tough budget year with limited funds,” but praised the proposal for free recreation center passes in a social media post.

“What better way to help with mental and physical health, and human connection,” she said.

In addition to the free recreation passes for kids, Wilson proposed ending library late fees for children.

“We can’t have young kids racking up fees,” she said, adding that the library board has a “good system” to encourage that books be returned on time without charging children.

The council will consider the mayor’s proposed budget during a series of hearings over the next couple of months, before voting on a final budget on Dec. 5.