If Provo’s tentative budget is accepted, full-time employees will receive a 5% payroll increase to help with the pains of inflation, according to Mayor Michelle Kaufusi.

On Tuesday, the Municipal Council heard a final presentation on budget requests before it is to be adopted in mid-June.

The projected budget is about $380,434,699. That is an approximately $81 million increase over last year’s budget.

Kaufusi said when it comes to the budget, the employees come first. The 5% is a “little boost” and should help find and keep good, professional employees.

Three of the biggest areas for the budget are; the airport, the wastewater treatment plant and start of the water treatment plant.

The airport, through the police budget requests, would have two new officers — a sergeant and an officer dedicated to the airport. Federal Aviation Administration requirements mean Provo needs four more full-time employees at the airport, including a director and wildlife biologist.

Some significant fee increases in the tentative budget includes a 2% utility rate increase due to inflation and operating costs, 9% wastewater increase and 5% water fee increase.

The new city hall, which is bigger than the current facility, will also be completed and needs more cleaning, maintenance, elevator care and more.

In the presentation given during the council’s work session, Chief Administrative Officer Wayne Parker presented more of the mayor’s goals for the city.

Among them are the mayor’s four pillars for the city — to be safe and sound, economically vibrant, forward looking and welcome.

Kaufusi’s key priorities for fiscal year 2023 include:

• Operationalize the City Hall/Public Safety Facility.
• Wastewater treatment plant.
• Open a west side grocery store.
• Complete planning for re-development at the Provo Towne Center mall.
• Complete the general plan and related planning efforts.

The tentative acceptance of the projected tentative budget will happen at the next council meeting. After that the council has about one month to see what if any changes need to be made and if they will hold a truth in taxation hearing. If so, that hearing would be in August and the budget would be fully approved at that time.

Residents can find the tentative budget online at http://provo.org/finance/reports/budget.

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