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The tough economic times are starting to pinch local governments in Utah. Cuts are coming, one way or another, for big cities and small towns alike.
At this point, it may be hard for people to tell there's financial hardship in their city. Typically, officials will cut back on travel, hold off on new equipment -- like computers -- or won't replace employees who quit or retire. It's the trend that is worrisome.
In Salt Lake City, the mayor is facing a mid-year budget shortfall of $4 million. But so far, the pain from those cuts has been controlled.
"If the economy continues to worsen, if revenues continue to go down, then we're going to have to re-evaluate where we are," Mayor Ralph Becker said.
Here's the reason people are worried: Dropping sales tax revenue -- everyone cutting back their spending a little adds up to a lot.
In the short term, businesses are avoiding layoffs. In fact, the demand for services is increasing.
For example, the Salt Lake County Council just today voted to reopen the Oxbow Jail. That's because of extreme overcrowding at the county jail.
But opening the jail will not be cheap. It will cost just under $3 million dollars to open it up, and another $5 million a year to keep it open.
"It's never easy to spend the public's money when there isn't enough money. But at least we're willing to make some prioritizations here, that public safety in Salt Lake County is truly going to be the priority," Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder said.
Budget meetings are where the final decisions are being made. Eventually, that could mean layoffs at cities, counties, even the state next year.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
