[0:02] All right, everyone. Welcome to the
[0:05] Wasatch Front Regional Council Budget
[0:06] Committee agenda for May 14th, 2026.
[0:10] Um, we have on the agenda item number
[0:14] one, which is um, introductions. We
[0:17] probably don't need introductions. We
[0:18] all know each other. Um,
[0:20] I would just like to read the names into
[0:22] the record.
[0:23] >> Andrea. Okay, thank you. Attending today
[0:25] we have Andrew Gruber, Andrea Pearson,
[0:28] Marian Florence, Jim Harvey, Amy Winder
[0:31] Newton, Wayne Benyon, Lee Perry, Bob
[0:34] Stevenson, and Don Ramsey. Thanks.
[0:37] Thank you so much. So, our first action
[0:40] that we need to take is approval of the
[0:42] minutes for March 19th, 2026.
[0:45] And then also acceptance of the current
[0:48] financial report and financial
[0:49] statements and check registers for
[0:51] February and March 2026.
[0:54] So, is there anyone who has any
[0:55] questions or comments or would like to
[0:57] make a motion? I'll move that we approve
[1:00] the minutes as presented. Second. Okay,
[1:03] we have a motion by
[1:05] uh, Commissioner Stevenson with a second
[1:07] by Commissioner Harvey. Thank you. All
[1:09] in favor, say aye. Aye.
[1:11] >> Aye. Aye. Any opposed?
[1:14] All right, that passes unanimously. Item
[1:16] number two is our public comment. Is
[1:18] there anyone
[1:19] >> just to interject. I'm Andrea, um,
[1:22] Council member Wardle is having the same
[1:24] Zoom access problem, so can you tell him
[1:27] whatever you told others so he can pass
[1:29] the aptitude test and endure as well,
[1:31] please.
[1:32] >> [laughter]
[1:32] >> Thank you.
[1:36] Thanks. Okay, item number two is our
[1:38] budget uh, or I'm sorry, public comment.
[1:41] Is there anyone who would like to speak
[1:44] during public comment?
[1:47] Do we have anybody from the public on?
[1:50] We do not. Okay. All right. Um, so we
[1:54] will move along to item number three.
[1:56] This is our WFRC budget committee action
[1:59] item.
[2:00] Um we need to recommend that the council
[2:04] approve the draft fiscal year '27 WFRC
[2:08] goals budget and unified planning work
[2:10] program.
[2:11] And so um
[2:13] are there any We we talked about this
[2:15] last time we met. Um we also talked
[2:17] about it in our
[2:18] uh board meeting. Is there anyone who
[2:20] has any questions on that? I would love
[2:22] to know if we've had public input since
[2:24] we first put it out.
[2:26] >> We have not had any public comment.
[2:29] Um we did I think the only time I've had
[2:32] a public comment was uh 2 years ago and
[2:34] it was a nice comment saying, "Thanks so
[2:36] much for sending this."
[2:38] And that was about it. Um so we do send
[2:40] that out. We send um We send everything
[2:43] out for public comment. We actually even
[2:45] reach out to the COGs um specifically to
[2:49] make sure that they've seen it. And so
[2:51] um I can only assume that they saw it
[2:54] and read it carefully and don't have any
[2:56] comments.
[2:58] Sounds great. Does anybody Any of the
[3:00] budget committee members, do you have
[3:02] any comments or questions on it?
[3:07] I did want to um
[3:09] make sure that we went through very
[3:11] quickly. There are um So let's see if
[3:13] there's any questions to begin. And
[3:15] then, Madam Chair, if it's okay, I do
[3:18] have two adjustments I wanted to make
[3:20] sure that you guys were aware of.
[3:22] Yep, it doesn't look like we have any
[3:24] questions. So go ahead, Marian. Okay.
[3:26] And then of course at the end if there
[3:28] are questions [clears throat]
[3:28] about this um so this is as you know,
[3:32] this is a routine meeting that we do in
[3:34] May following our meeting in March when
[3:37] we reviewed the initial draft of the FY
[3:40] '27 goals, budget, and unified work
[3:43] program. Um and so as I said, no public
[3:46] comment. Um and so those goals, those
[3:49] three high-level goals
[3:51] um remain the same as,
[3:54] um,
[3:56] as we had them before, um, and so they
[3:58] are these.
[4:00] Uh, to collaboratively advance the
[4:02] Wasatch Choice Vision, to provide
[4:04] subject matter expertise, and to strive
[4:07] for organizational excellence. We have
[4:09] some sub-goals that go underneath that,
[4:12] um,
[4:13] but this is those are our our high-level
[4:15] goals.
[4:17] And then on our
[4:19] budget, I just wanted to pull this up.
[4:23] Is that showing the budget screen there?
[4:25] It is.
[4:26] >> Yeah, you've got the the the three top
[4:28] line goals, which as we noted have not
[4:30] changed from March.
[4:33] >> So, now I will carefully bring up
[4:38] the
[4:39] budget, and I can show you
[4:43] where we had, um, so this is the same
[4:47] blur of numbers that we shared last
[4:49] time. I'm, um, and I wanted to just
[4:52] reiterate that we haven't changed any of
[4:54] them. Our discussion about how we got to
[4:57] some of these numbers. The one that that
[4:59] we have two adjustments, one large, one
[5:01] small.
[5:02] Um, the large adjustment is here on the
[5:04] contractual line, and that is the line
[5:07] where we show work that we do on studies
[5:09] and projects where we need to use
[5:11] outside consulting vendors, outside
[5:14] vendors, specialized help. Last June, we
[5:18] applied for a regional infrastructure
[5:20] accelerator grant from the US Department
[5:22] of Transportation,
[5:23] and we just got word, um, two weeks ago.
[5:25] I think we sent an email out to you. We
[5:27] got word that we'd been awarded one of
[5:30] 14 grants in the entire nation. So, we
[5:33] had applied for 1.5 million, and we were
[5:36] awarded just over a million, 1.150.
[5:40] Um, and so now this number that, uh,
[5:44] back in March was 3.3 is now 4.4
[5:47] million, And so that's where you see
[5:49] that showing up. Um
[5:52] And so what does that actually mean for
[5:54] us and what we're doing? Just really
[5:56] briefly, the Reia grant um is helping we
[6:00] have 98 stationary plans that we've
[6:02] certified in our area and counting. We
[6:04] continue to do that as you know every
[6:06] meeting. And this is we see this as the
[6:09] next step in getting towards
[6:11] implementing those plans that we're
[6:12] doing here. So we have specialized
[6:14] consultants who can help us identify
[6:16] financing strategies to move towards
[6:19] implementation. So it's really exciting
[6:21] for us at WFRC that we were awarded this
[6:23] grant which we feel like really helps us
[6:26] continue that that centers work that
[6:29] we're doing to make sure that these get
[6:30] implemented. Um that's the one big
[6:34] change, million-dollar change. Um and
[6:37] then we also every year uh we get an
[6:40] updated number from the Federal Transit
[6:42] Administration. As you know, our
[6:45] consolidated planning grant has three
[6:47] kinds of federal funds in it and this
[6:50] Federal Transit Administration we uh
[6:53] received an updated number. Um it was
[6:55] $25,000 more than what we had initially
[6:58] had estimated and so that's good news
[7:00] and so it's here incorporated under the
[7:02] revenue side. And so we just
[7:05] incorporated that as soon as we get that
[7:07] estimate from from UDot uh and so that's
[7:10] why we included it here. So those are
[7:13] the two changes to the budget. That
[7:15] means that the total budget is now 11.8
[7:19] which you can see is very similar to
[7:22] this time a year ago when it was 12.2.
[7:25] So typical our our initial budget is
[7:27] about in that range um and I'm happy to
[7:30] answer any questions about any of the specific lines. I wanted to note
[7:34] that we've also
[7:36] included that Reia grant into the UPWP.
[7:39] So the summary was changed only in that
[7:41] way. We added one
[7:43] small sentence to reflect this work that
[7:45] we're now going to be doing under the
[7:47] REA grant.
[7:49] Um
[7:50] That's good news when we get more
[7:51] revenue. So
[7:53] >> Yeah, more revenue and not from
[7:54] taxpayers. Well,
[7:56] I know this is
[7:57] >> our local taxpayers, I guess.
[7:59] >> That's just why I like doing
[7:59] governmental finance at WFRC because
[8:02] it's not relying on tax money. It's
[8:04] relying on these um
[8:05] you know, federal formula funds and
[8:08] grant and these one in these good
[8:09] discretionary grant funds that we have
[8:11] to
[8:12] >> which technically is still tax money,
[8:13] but it's not local.
[8:14] >> Yes, exactly. It's That's right. Yeah.
[8:16] That's right.
[8:17] >> It's not us having to raise taxes to
[8:19] >> That's correct. That's correct.
[8:20] >> Right. And we're and part of the
[8:22] approach is ah, very good. Council
[8:24] member Wardle has been listening for a
[8:26] while and has uh now successfully joined
[8:28] us. Council member, thank you and you've
[8:30] uh you've passed the um
[8:33] the aptitude test to to join us. We
[8:35] really appreciate it. Council member
[8:37] Winder Newton, to your point, of course,
[8:39] the funds that we get from the federal
[8:40] government are tax dollars that go to
[8:42] Washington and we, you know, work to put
[8:46] those bring as many funds back to Utah
[8:48] as we can and put them to use.
[8:50] And just very briefly, this REA grant um
[8:54] the infrastructure accelerators grant
[8:56] through USDOT, we're really excited
[8:59] about it because
[9:01] we, as Marion said, we aim to use this
[9:04] these funds to provide help to local
[9:07] communities to turn their stationary
[9:10] plans into reality and put together the
[9:12] funding and financing strategies
[9:15] to actually get the housing and the
[9:17] infrastructure uh built to address the
[9:20] growth in our region. So, we're really
[9:22] excited about it. It's going to take a
[9:23] while just to get that contract
[9:25] executed. So, we'll get that going over
[9:28] the months to come.
[9:30] Uh I'll just add about that also. The
[9:33] timing works well for us to be in a bit
[9:35] of a pause because our project manager
[9:38] is Meg Pagen
[9:41] who is now out on maternity leave
[9:43] because she just had her her baby, baby
[9:45] Sadie.
[9:46] Uh so, mom and baby are doing well and
[9:49] she'll come back just in time to pick up
[9:51] the reins again uh and project manage
[9:54] that Riya effort for us. So, we're
[9:56] excited about that. Wow, we'll send our
[9:58] congratulations to her. That's awesome.
[10:00] We'll do.
[10:03] Thanks, Marion. Anything else?
[10:06] So, that is my whole spiel on the budget
[10:09] and the UPWP and the goals. Um
[10:14] So, basically, we just need that
[10:16] recommendation to take this same
[10:18] information to the council for their
[10:20] approval.
[10:21] Okay, that's what we're looking for.
[10:23] Does anybody want to make a motion to
[10:24] that effect?
[10:28] I'll make a motion, Madam Chair, that we
[10:30] uh
[10:32] do that as presented by Marion today.
[10:35] Ms. Florence.
[10:36] Great. So, we have a motion by
[10:38] Commissioner Harvey. Is there a second?
[10:41] I'll second it.
[10:43] Seconded by Commissioner Perry. And that
[10:46] motion is to recommend uh that the WFRC
[10:49] Council approve the goals, budget, and
[10:52] unified work program. So,
[10:54] we will vote on that. All in favor, say
[10:56] I. I.
[10:59] Any opposed?
[11:01] Okay, that passes unanimously. Um our
[11:03] next item is the fiscal year 26 fraud
[11:06] risk assessment.
[11:08] Yes, and I can um go through this pretty
[11:11] quickly. As you all know, probably
[11:13] painfully aware, this is a requirement
[11:16] by the Utah State Auditor that we do
[11:17] annually reflecting on the year that
[11:20] we've just finished and we have again
[11:23] scored the lowest risk category. The The
[11:27] sheets are in your packet um
[11:29] with all of the detail about that
[11:31] scoring uh but I just wanted to report
[11:33] to you
[11:35] partly because
[11:37] um your oversight of the budget
[11:39] committee is part of what makes us a
[11:41] lowest risk category because we have a
[11:44] great committee that meets and reviews
[11:46] materials diligently and and that is
[11:49] part of what they're scoring on. So, I
[11:50] really appreciate you being able to do
[11:53] that for us. Um we also scored low on
[11:56] internal um lowest risk on internal
[12:00] controls, which is a something that as a
[12:02] small agency, it's it's kind of tricky
[12:04] to make sure, but our auditors always
[12:06] commend us in August about how we're
[12:08] able to have our internal controls in
[12:11] place both in policy and in practice.
[12:14] And so, that's something that we like to
[12:17] show you guys and it's also reflected in
[12:19] that uh questionnaire that they send
[12:21] out. So, we'll be submitting that after
[12:23] your review, we'll be submitting that to
[12:25] the state auditor and also to the
[12:27] council in in a couple of weeks.
[12:32] You're muted, Council Member Windham.
[12:35] Thank you. Good job. That is great work
[12:37] and um
[12:39] we'll look forward to having that before
[12:41] the whole council.
[12:43] Um
[12:43] and then number item number five today
[12:45] is the executive director report,
[12:47] Andrew.
[12:49] Um I'll just express appreciation for
[12:51] the for on the last item on the fraud
[12:54] risk assessment. Um we've always taken
[12:56] this work very seriously, the
[12:58] transparency, the good procedures, and
[13:00] with Marion's work, it's even better
[13:03] than it, you know, was in the past. And
[13:06] so, we're real proud of that. It's
[13:07] important that we take seriously the use
[13:09] of taxpayer dollars. I know that you all
[13:11] expect that of us.
[13:13] You do it in your own primary work and
[13:15] you expect it of us. We take that very
[13:16] seriously. I don't have anything else
[13:18] for um executive director's report.
[13:21] We'll look forward to seeing some of you
[13:24] at our
[13:25] uh regional growth committee meeting,
[13:26] which is next week. And the, on the
[13:30] 21st, and then our council meeting on
[13:32] the Thursday the 28th at 1:30. Um, if
[13:35] anybody has any
[13:36] anything they want me to talk about, or
[13:38] any questions for me, or for Maryanne,
[13:40] or for Wayne, or Andrea, we're of course
[13:42] happy to answer any questions.
[13:44] Great. Thank you. Does anybody have any
[13:46] other questions, or are we, or any other
[13:49] business they want to bring before the
[13:50] budget committee?
[13:53] Seeing none, we'll go ahead and adjourn
[13:55] this meeting, and we will give Fair, uh,
[13:57] if if this is a personal matter, if I
[13:59] can just share one personal note, and
[14:02] that is my daughter's getting married on
[14:05] Saturday. So, first kid to get married,
[14:08] so, yeah, FYI,
[14:10] uh, here, you know, here in Utah, so,
[14:12] I'm excited about that. So, just wanted
[14:14] to share with you as friends. So
[14:16] exciting. Give Chloe our best. I didn't
[14:18] know that. Yeah.
[14:19] >> Congratulations. That's awesome.
[14:23] Do you remember how old your parents
[14:24] were when you got married? I'm just
[14:26] putting things in perspective.
[14:28] Uh,
[14:29] >> [laughter]
[14:29] >> They seemed very old, I think that's the
[14:32] point. Yeah, yeah, that's that that you
[14:33] got it, Maryanne, that's that perfect.
[14:35] Good luck. Uh-huh, yeah, thanks a lot.
[14:37] [laughter]
[14:37] >> happy for you guys. Very happy for your
[14:40] whole family. Thank you.
[14:41] >> Should I mute, or stop the recording?
[14:44] >> Yeah, we're good. Yeah, sorry. That's
[14:46] acceptable to be on the record, I think.
[14:47] Thank you very much.
[14:48] >> [laughter]
[14:49] >> Okay.
[14:50] Well, safe travels to Don and Lee, hang
[14:53] in there, and everyone else with Bob,
[14:57] heal well. Yep.
[14:59] And Jim, whatever issues you have, or
[15:00] Scott, you know, and everyone else. I
[15:03] hang out with Bob, but thank you. All
[15:05] right. [laughter]
[15:05] Thank you. Thanks. Ooh, hey, from the streets of New York, I like it.
[15:09] Thanks, Mayor Ramsey. Be safe. Okay. See
[15:12] you, guys. All right, everybody.
[15:14] Take care.