Sandy City preparing for budget cuts

SANDY — Every city department, including public safety and fire, has been asked to cut its budget by 2 percent due to low sales tax revenues and a steep drop-off in fees collected for new homes and businesses.

The Sandy City Council reviewed the proposed cuts Tuesday and intends to amend the budget during its Jan. 12 meeting.

In some departments, such as the legal office, employees will be asked to cut hours, but no positions will be lost.

In others, such as finance and police, positions are being eliminated by attrition. In the parks department, one full team of seasonal workers is being eliminated.

All together, nine full-time equivalent positions are being lost, 13 positions will have reduced hours and two interns will not be hired, said Sandy spokeswoman Trina Duerkson.

The public is likely to notice a decrease in service levels in the courts system, where one full-time employee and one part-timer have left, said Korban Lee, the city's assistant chief administrative officer. The department already cut two part-time positions earlier this year.

"They have a hard time keeping up already," said Sandy's chief administrative officer, Byron Jorgenson. "It's painful."

If revenue declines continue, the departments could be asked to cut another 2 percent in March, according to city finance director Art Hunter.

During Tuesday's meeting, City Council members expressed a concern for prioritization of cuts so services like public safety are left intact. Councilman Scott Cowdell went further, suggesting cuts to council pay and elimination of the travel budget for elected officials, unless they hold national office.

Several council members also pointed out a positive side to the cuts.

"This is healthy for us as a governmental entity because it keeps growth in check. It drops our appetites for bigger and more," said Councilman Chris McCandless. "When it turns, it will turn for the better."

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