State of the City Address

Jan. 15, 2008

Good evening, Madam Chair, Council Members, City Employees, Salt Lake City Residents, and honored guests. Tonight, I am pleased to report on the State of our City.

I have much to report on since the inaugural — at least another six minutes' worth — detailing all my accomplishments from my first week in office.

I have a unique opportunity in my first State of the City address to reflect on the condition of the City, to introduce two new innovative programs — for governance and accountability — and to lay out for you what I hope to accomplish in this first year of my administration.

When I addressed you last week, I remarked on all that Salt Lake City has to offer: a thriving economy, a magnificent natural setting, and hard-working, diverse, creative residents.

Salt Lake City today is the result of legacies left to all of us by my predecessors. Among their achievements: Mayor Anderson put issues of social justice and the urgency of addressing climate change at the top of our City's agenda; Mayor Corradini championed many of the infrastructure projects that were completed in advance of the Olympics; Mayor DePaulis led the charge to save and restore this beautiful historic building, establish a homeless shelter and care for the disadvantaged; Mayor Wilson was instrumental in foothill protection; and all of these dedicated leaders helped make possible our light rail system that has proven to be such a benefit.

I certainly have big shoes to fill.

Yet, as I remarked last week, we have much to accomplish for every resident of Salt Lake City.

Domestic Partnership Registry

Last week, I started by introducing a City-wide Domestic-Partnership Registry that is intended to provide all Salt Lake City residents the same level of equality, dignity, and respect. This registry is for adult residents of the City who cohabit and rely on one another as dependents. The measure would help many of our elderly residents, people with adult dependent children, as well as same-sex couples. The City would create and maintain the registry and provide certificates to the registrants, thereby making it easier for employers, hospitals, and municipal facilities to recognize these relationships. I have appreciated the dialog in the community and the state, and look forward to your review and action on this proposal.

Leadership Policy

Last week I signed a Leadership Policy to endorse and promote the value and contributions of our dedicated City employees. That Policy created a Leadership Council that is tasked to enhance the value of City employees through leadership initiatives. Salt Lake City Corporation is its employees. With personnel costs making up 60% of the City's general revenue fund budget, taxpayers make a significant investment. We, as elected officials, along with City senior managers, must continuously find ways to enhance the value of the City's employees.