Corroon tweaks budget

While cutting expenses for some county programs, Corroon's budget would also make some hefty payouts to new initiatives. Although the up-front costs for his new ideas totals more than $4 million, Corroon said each new expense is aimed at increasing efficiency and savings in the long run.

One of the most drastic changes is a restructuring of county government to create a new Administrative Services Department. Divisions such as personnel, fleet and records would fall under the umbrella of the new office, which will be staffed with a director and a fiscal manager.

The new department will run the county about $179,000, but Corroon said the tighter fiscal controls and oversight will mean reductions in waste and scandal at the county.

A $2 million substance abuse program as an alternative to jail time also tops the list of Corroon's major pet projects. The program will increase community treatment services and will start a Day Reporting Center to provide therapy and monitoring instead of jail time. "Increased substance abuse treatment is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to do for offenders, for their families, for our community, and it's the right thing for our budget," Corroon said.

That program, Corroon said, will save the county money by eliminating the need to reopen Oxbow Jail — a $1.7 million budget proposal pushed by Sheriff Aaron Kennard — and will save on jail costs.

Salt Lake County Council members will have a chance to review the mayor's proposed budget adjustments June 14, and will hold a public hearing and final vote on the changes June 21.

In other county business Tuesday:

• County Council members approved a resolution to protect the growth of Japan Town near the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

The resolution comes after promises made during the Legislature's general session not to impede redevelopment of Japan Town with a Salt Palace expansion.

The resolution recognizes Japan Town as a "tremendous cultural asset," resolves to mitigate the impact of the Salt Palace expansion and commits assistance to businesses that want to locate there.

• County Council members changed a gift ban ordinance to lower the limit on acceptable gifts from $50 to zero.

The ordinance, drafted by Jenny Wilson and an ethics subcommittee, had originally pegged the gift limit at $20, but several council members said it was best to take the guess work out and simply ban all gifts that are not specifically exempt.

The list of those exempt gifts will be drafted before a vote on the ordinance next week and will likely include token drinks and memorabilia from lobbyists, meals and travel to education forums and any county-related business.

Four of the nine council members, including Horiuchi and David Wilde, voted against the new gift ban, saying a complete elimination is only asking for violations.

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