Utah County Commission amends budget amid revenue drops, higher spending

PROVO — The Utah County Commission approved an amended budget Wednesday that took into account more spending for public defenders and a drop in revenue.

The amended budget, which passed 2-1 with Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner opposing, reflects a $3 million loss in expected revenue the county receives from sales tax.

A recent market study revealed the county needed to increase salaries more than was originally proposed in the initial budget. The cost of a contract with the Public Defenders Association for "indigent defense services" was also increased in the latest proposal. And, the amended budget shows increased costs for renovation of the recorder's and human resources offices, as well as adjustments for inflation.

Some of the money used to cover these increased costs will be funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The rest will come out of the county's general funds.

Powers Gardner was frustrated during the meeting, saying the county has been running a "structurally imbalanced budget for four years, in the middle of a booming economy."

"If this passes, that's a $7.1 million structurally imbalanced budget this year, and we're only funding half of the increase this year, plus this is not going to be the last increase," she said.

Inflation and wage pressure will increase costs in the 2024 budget even more, creating a larger deficit and putting the county on the path to be bankrupt in a few years, Powers Gardner said. Looking to the future, Gardner listed multiple projects and costs that will be added to the budget amid the revenue loss.

"It is not conservative to not raise taxes but then spend out our credit lines," she said. "I would have no problem voting for this if we could agree that this is fiscally irresponsible — and that we're going to do something to correct the irresponsible path we're on."

Powers Gardner said she supports the Public Defenders Association and realizes why they need more money, but she doesn't think it is fiscally sound to vote for more spending without balancing the budget first.

"This is not sustainable. It's not conservative. And it's not responsible," she said.

Powers Gardner said that although she voted no, she doesn't fault anyone who supports the new budget.

Commissioner Tom Sakievich said he sees a need to support the resolution and the commission will address the spending in the next few months.

Commissioner Brandon Gordon said the county will most likely have to move forward with Truth in Taxation hearings, and look at property tax changes to collect more revenue to balance the budget.

The commissioners approved a pay raise in April for themselves and all other elected county officials, in an attempt to meet "market level" compensation for the employees, per the results of the market study.

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