County budget includes a focus on the wellbeing of children

Every year, my fellow council members and I are tasked with setting and approving the yearly budget for the county. My constituents have entrusted me to scrutinize every dollar spent defending programs that will improve Salt Lake County residents' safety and quality of life. 

This year, the Salt Lake County Council unanimously approved the county’s 2024 budget, with no tax increase. I am proud to say that the approved budget contains wide-ranging cuts, expanded services for mental health resources, investments in our parks, trails, and recreation centers, and continued funding for libraries, health clinics, and aging services like Meals on Wheels.

The top priority of the Salt Lake County Council continues to be public safety. While identifying this year’s budget cuts, we ensured adequate funding for the jail, prosecution, behavioral health, and areas that keep our community safe and healthy.

I’m thrilled to share a few budget-approved initiatives that every Salt Lake County resident should know about, especially those with school-age children under 18. 

• My County Rec Pass: Free Rec Center Passes for Children: As of summer 2024, all school-age youth, ages 5-18, who are Salt Lake County residents will be able to access all County-operated recreation centers, ice centers, and swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) at no cost. This program is funded by the Tourism, Recreation, Culture & Convention fund (TRCC), which raises revenue from tourism, so it can be funded even in this tight budget year. The council passed this unanimously.
  
  
• Elimination of Library Late Fees for Children: As of next summer, all late fees on children and young adult materials will be eliminated for a one-year pilot program. This will eliminate barriers to the fantastic resources available in the award-winning Salt Lake County Libraries for children and young adults. Late fees too often keep the very residents who could benefit most from using the library. While late fees for children’s materials will be waived, they are still expected to return checked-out materials after three months or will be charged for them.
  
  

Promoting healthy, active lifestyles can have numerous benefits, both physically and mentally, and will help combat the rising anxiety and depression rates crippling too many Utahns. Making these opportunities more accessible, especially for those facing financial challenges, will encourage kids to cut their screen time and put down their phones, which is crucial for their overall health and development. 
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We welcome the opportunity for Salt Lake County school-aged children to engage in healthy activities while fostering a sense of community. Reading books, connecting with others, and participating in physical exercise are all important things to help our kids grow up healthy and happy.