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City Cast Salt Lake

On Tuesday evening, SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed a 

 to the City Council. It includes more $$ for policing, the city’s Westside, and pedestrian safety. While it actually costs ~$2 billion to run our city, the General Fund is the portion of the budget funded by residents (think: property tax, sales tax, fines).

Citing a volatile stock market, tariffs, and decreasing consumer sentiment, the mayor called this year’s budget “nearly entirely flat” aka just the basics. So why is it up 6.7% from last year? “This increase is driven almost entirely by inflation and the rising cost of maintaining the services and infrastructure we already have,” says the mayor.

Rates are going up for water (about $10/month for low water users) and waste & recycling (about $3/month for residential bins). Expect property taxes to go up next budget season.

: New police, fire, and street maintenance vehicles

: Phase one of The Green Loop, the block right outside City Hall

: Vision Zero safety improvements to three major streets: Redwood Road, 900 West, and 800 South

: More electric vehicle charging stations

: Overnight security at several city parks

Renovating the Fisher Mansion and finding new tenants

: Starter funds for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games

 Utah Transit Authority’s On Demand service

The SLC Council has until June 30 to vote on a final budget. Until then, they’re taking feedback from residents.

📞 Leave a voice message at (801) 535-7654.

 on Tuesday, May 20 or Tuesday, June 3 at 7 p.m.

Salt Lake City's $512 Million Budget Proposal

Local Civics

What's being decided in Salt Lake City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Salt Lake City Council. 

Salt Lake Election and City Hall News

Salt Lake City just unveiled the design for a new, $2 million playground at Liberty Park. It will be an all-abilities park! But what does that actually mean? I asked SLC’s ADA coordinator, Ashley Lichtle.

“Removing any physical barriers makes a park ADA-compliant. But removing physical barriers doesn’t provide opportunities for active participation or social inclusion. This is where inclusive design comes into play (pun intended)!”

According to the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design,* everyone should feel included, smart, independent, safe, active, and comfortable in a play area. Let’s take thrill as an example: Your thrill might be a zip line, mine might be climbing a dirt mound. An all-abilities playground allows for people of all ages and abilities to get their kicks.

Fun fact: These were co-developed by Utah State University.

$2 million of the $85 million parks bond passed by SLC voters is being applied to a new playground in Liberty Park. The park is 

, like a Chill Zone, Challenge Zone, and Thrill Zone. All-abilities elements include sensory gardens, a zipline with full-body support, wheelchair-accessible spin carousels, caregiver accommodations, and Braille and American Sign Language incorporation.

The new Liberty Park playground won’t break ground before 2025. In the meantime, find cheap thrills at some 

: Bickley Park in South Salt Lake, Draper City Park, Sierra Newbold Playground in West Jordan, and Magna Regional Park. 

Salt Lake’s ADA office wants to know what your neighborhood park needs to be inclusive? Email 

Salt Lake Plans for Inclusive Park Thrills

Salt Lake Parks

Parks question

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Whether it's off-leash dog parks, pickleball courts, pools or playgrounds, we are ranking the best parks in the valley, from Herriman to Salt Lake City, and everywhere in between.

city planning

Salt Lake City's $512 Million Budget Proposal

Salt Lake Plans for Inclusive Park Thrills

Latest articles

Salt Lake City's $512 Million Budget Proposal

Salt Lake Plans for Inclusive Park Thrills