Mayor Burton’s Proposed 2023-24 Budget

Council, members of the public, and staff,

In the mid-90’s, I started a small business, right here in West Jordan. Though electrical work was my primary focus, as a self-employed husband and father of six, I spent a lot of time focused on managing a detailed, realistic budget. I learned how to stretch a dollar and I know that every penny counts.

When I became the Mayor of West Jordan three and a half years ago, one of the first steps I took was to utilize my experience to rework the City’s budget, ensuring that estimated expenses did not outpace anticipated revenues. In 2020, we effectively balanced the budget for the first time in more than a decade.

This fiscally conservative approach paid off. Today we find ourselves in a unique economic position. We are experiencing a rising population and economic growth, while dealing with record inflation. Economists predict a national recession, coupled with a jump in unemployment in 2023, and yet our conservative approach has left the city well-poised to deal with any challenges that may lie ahead. 

It is with this in mind that I present a balanced budget for fiscal year 2024. This budget uses conservative and attainable budget projections. For example, with declining sales tax revenues, we budgeted cautiously in case those numbers decline from previous returns in the coming year. This budget does not propose an increase to the property tax rate, all while maintaining a focus on core functions and improving government responsiveness.

Departments were asked to examine their operations to find efficiencies. Based on specific needs, particularly regarding our shared goals in improving core city services, community engagement, improvement of the City’s public spaces, and maintaining low employee turnover, some budget increases were necessary. These increases were included in the budget with our projected revenues in mind.

Together, we have discussed many improvements to the City. I sincerely wish we had the freedom to fund and accomplish all the requests identified, but there are limits to just how much we can do in what appears to be the start of an economic recession.

I have directed staff to create a supplemental report to account for new funding requests. The details expansion items included in my baseline budget, as well as requests prioritized, but not included in the budget due to funding limitations. In the coming weeks, you will receive the City’s property tax revenue from the County. Should this provide the City additional resources, I would ask the Council to consider the requests classified as “prioritized, but not included in the budget” to be included in the final budget. Based on previous budget discussions, Council has looked for opportunities for early debt redemption. There is an opportunity to reduce the tax burden on the average West Jordan household by approximately $40, by utilizing city reserves to pay off a general obligation bond two years early. Due to the uncertain economic climate, we find ourselves in, I have chosen not to dip into reserves and include this action in my baseline budget. However, staff is prepared to discuss this action and I am willing to support a Council decision to include this in the final budget.

Finally, I want to recognize the many hours invested in the preparation of this budget by our Finance Department, department directors, and the mayor’s office staff. In particular, I recognize and thank our Chief Administrative Officer Korban Lee, Assistant City Administrative Officer Jamie Davidson, our Administrative Services Director Danyce Steck, and Budget Analyst Becky Condie.

Thank you for allowing me to share my approach to this very comprehensive budget. Tonight, we place it in your hands to carefully consider in the coming weeks. My staff and I stand ready to answer any questions you may have as you go through the process. 

Thank you,

Dirk Burton
Mayor of West Jordan, Utah