Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Summary of the May 17 Meetings

In the Work Session

Joint Meeting with Parks and Recreation Board
Council met with members of the Parks and Recreation Board prior to the regular work session. Topics of discussion included the East Bay Golf Course, the desire for a regional sports park, and the recreation, arts, and parks (RAP) tax.

Provo City Vision - Neighborhood meetings
Discussion continues on Provo City's vision document (Vision 2030) and how it will be updated. The Community Development Department will work with the Neighborhood Program to hold meetings this summer in five different areas of the city, inviting Provo residents to give input, ask questions, and discuss the document.

Timp Neighborhood Conquers a Rainy Day

Saturday’s rain didn’t keep over 130 people from participating in the Timp Neighborhood Beautification Day. Shannon Bingham, Timp Neighborhood Chair, organized the event as a matching grant project through Provo City’s Neighborhood Program.

Volunteers from the neighborhood and members of the YSA 16th Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints braved the downpour to clean yards, remove dead trees, remove debris, and plant trees. With the assistance of Dalton McArthur they also installed three irrigation systems. Everyone was wet, but barely noticed as they worked diligently to accomplish their tasks. Children helped in any way they could, including bringing water to those who were working. 

The project began with a “walk-the-block” meeting where neighborhood residents, City Council members, and some City staff walked the area together to see what could be done to help the neighborhood. Once the needs were identified, Bingham worked with Louise Jorgensen, Council Executive Office Assistant, to apply for the matching grant. Jorgensen coordinates the matching grants, service projects, and walk-the-blocks as part of the Neighborhood Program. Matching grant funds are provided by Council to match donations and volunteer hours as part of approved neighborhood projects.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Annual Budget Timeline

The timeline for approving Provo City's budget is set by Utah State Code.
  • The Mayor presents the proposed budget to the City Council at their first meeting in May. (This year it was the May 3 meeting).
  • Council votes to tentatively adopt the proposed budget. This vote will occur at the May 17 meeting.
  • All municipal final budgets must be adopted before June 22, or, in the case of a property tax increase, before August 17. The Council's vote on adopting the budget will happen at the June 21 Council Meeting this year.
  • The tentative (proposed) budget is available to the public at least 10 days before the adoption of the final budget. You can view the proposed budget in person at the office of the City Recorder. It is also available online. Budgets from recent years are also available on the Finance Department's website.
  • A public hearing must be held before adopting the budget. The date for the hearing will be set when the budget is tentatively adopted on May 17. According to Utah State Code, "All interested persons in attendance shall be given an opportunity to be heard, for or against, the estimates of revenue and expenditures or any item thereof in the tentative budget of any fund." UPDATE - public hearings will be held at the June 7 and June 21 regular Council meetings.
  • There is a property tax increase included in the proposed budget this year. If the Council decides to move forward with the increase, a Truth in Taxation hearing will be required. The date for the hearing is set by Utah County and will most likely be held in August.
In between the Mayor presenting the budget and the Council adopting the final budget there are usually some extra Work Meetings where Council Members examine the budget in greater detail, ask questions of department directors, and hear presentations and analysis from Council staff. Watch the Council's Facebook page for updates.


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Comment below (requires Google+ account), on our Facebook page, through our online comment form, or by contacting Council Members directly. Comments/input on items appearing on an upcoming meeting agenda will be compiled and provided to Council Members the day before the meeting. **Note - your comments will be part of the public record.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Summary of the May 3 Meetings

In the Work Session

Vision 2030 Updates
Vision 2030 is a vision statement created in 2010 to define a 20-year vision for the Provo community. Rather than focusing on tiny details, it takes a higher, broader look at where Provo is heading. Now that some time has passed, updates are needed and Provo City is looking toward the year 2050 to set goals. Council discussed the process of updating what will become Vision 2050 and aligning the General Plan with it. Council's plan is to have the Vision 2050 document created along with a timeline for public vetting of it. Neighborhoods will be asked to meet and discuss the document and send their feedback to the Council.


Because Vision 2050 will guide Provo City decisions for years to come, now is the time for Provo residents to take a look and let the Council know what needs to be added or updated. We believe Provo is an inspiring place to live, learn, work and play.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Provo City Council Work Meeting, May 3, 2016


Agenda  (Times have been added to the ends of the individual agenda items to help you find them in the video.)