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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Salt Lake

Terina Ria

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled her proposed 

 this week, outlining a $498.9 million General Fund spending plan. While the total cost of running the city tops $2 billion, the General Fund is the resident-funded portion (covered by property taxes, sale taxes fees, fines, etc.). In other words: It’s our money, so let’s look at where it’s going.

How SLC Wants To Spend $499 Million

One of the biggest headlines in this year’s proposed budget is the 

the mayor says would generate $13.5 million

 to help offset inflation, rising labor costs, and shrinking federal support. For a Salt Lake home valued at $624,000, that’s about $9.87 more per month.

Your monthly utility bill is also expected to climb: 

For a single-family household, that could mean about $14 for water (for low-water users), $11 for sewer, and $3 for waste and recycling service, $2.60 for street lighting, and $1.75 for stormwater.

If you’re doing the math, with property tax and utility changes, the average household could end up paying about 

The police department (28%) and the fire department (12%) combined make up about 40% of the budget.

: Police department (including a full-time drone pilot for the SLCPD’s Real Time Crime Center)

: Fire department (including staffing, operation, maintenance and the Wildland Firefighting Expansion)

 Street maintenance (including $1.5 million for ADA sidewalk and crossing upgrades)

YouthCity and family programming restoration after federal cuts

: Downtown beautification for the 2027 Salt Lake Temple reopening

Volunteers of America Homeless Outreach team and Shelter the Homeless

The SLC Council has until June 30 to approve a final version of the budget, and residents can share their feedback before then.

📞 Leave a voice message at (801) 535-7654.

 on Tuesday, May 19 or Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the purpose of the $400K line item. It will actually be used for general downtown beautification during the 2027 temple reopening. A city spokesperson said the beehive lamppost proposal is no longer moving forward.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled her proposed fiscal year 2027 budget this week, outlining a $498.9 million General Fund spending plan. The General Fund is the resident-funded portion. In other words: it’s our money, so let’s look at where it’s going.

The Mayor’s $498.9 Million Budget Proposal

The Mayor’s $499 Million Budget Proposal

Local Civics

What's being decided in Salt Lake City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Salt Lake City Council. 

Salt Lake Election and City Hall News

, it’s only right that we dedicate the finale to some of Salt Lake’s most frequent park users: dogs. And with 

, consider this your sign to take your favorite fur baby to one of the best dog parks around the city.

Bring water, some parks don’t have fountains.

Avoid peak heat hours, especially for pavement-heavy parks.

even if you put it in your neighbor’s trash

Tennis courts, BMX trails, Shoot-the-Tube, and 13 acres of off-leash trails — what 

 this park have? The downside: It can get pretty muddy here.

Not technically a dog park, this off-leash area in Park City is popular for dogs and owners who want a little workout/hike. It includes trails, hills, trees, and creek access.

Fairmont’s fenced dog area gives dogs room to run without the stress, if your dog’s still learning proper recall. Bonus: There’s a separate area for small dogs.

Lots of grass, paved paths, and mature trees, which means solid shade in the summer and less mud in the winter. Plus, it’s right off the Jordan River Parkway.

Maybe not the biggest or busiest, but a nice little retreat in The Avenues neighborhood that’s especially gorgeous at sunset. They also have a dog watering fountain.

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting our park’s project. Spring is an ideal time to 

. The season doesn’t just arrive; it hatches. Discover what’s taking flight this spring!

With Mother’s Day weekend here, consider this your sign to take your favorite fur baby to one of the best dog parks around Salt Lake.

The Best Dog Parks in Salt Lake

Salt Lake Parks

Whether it's off-leash dog parks, pickleball courts, pools or playgrounds, we are ranking the best parks in the valley, from Herriman to Salt Lake City, and everywhere in between.

Every Park SLC: Visiting All 511 Parks in Salt Lake County

Every Park SLC

For this week’s chatter, City Cast Salt Lake readers shared what they notice, love, and wish parks across the valley did better. So we paired their comments with data from 

, where we visited all 511 parks in Salt Lake County, to add a little context to their feedback.

“I have a 5-year-old, the playground is VERY important to a good park. He would say swings are the most important, and I agree. Swings are something you can do together! For the parents, good shade coverage is a must, too. Two parks that do both of those well are Draper City Park and Union Park in Midvale!” — El G.

 have all five family-friendly amenities: bathrooms, a playground, a splash pad, picnic tables, and water fountains.

“Bathrooms! I’m training my kids to bring up bathrooms at every public engagement event they attend for the foreseeable future.” — @johnnaeshines

. But Salt Lake City set money aside from the 

 to go toward bathroom upgrades in big parks like Fairmont, Glendale, Pioneer, and Liberty.

“What's up with the construction at the park near The Gateway?” — @fitznfaith0

 to add new amenities like playgrounds, sports courts, a dog park, and updated infrastructure for year-round use. The $18 million project is expected to be completed by late 2026.

Check our parks map to find your perfect park

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting our parks project. Spring is an ideal time to 

City Cast Salt Lake readers shared what they notice, love, and wish parks across the valley did better. So we paired their comments with data from our parks project to add a little context.

Salt Lake Chatter: Parks Edition

Think you know Salt Lake parks? We’re putting you to the test! Hint: All the answers can be found in past 

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting this parks project. Spring is an ideal time to 

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Salt Lake Parks?

Ali Vallarta

For the past two years, City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta has been visiting all 511 parks across Salt Lake County. What started as a New Year’s resolution has turned into a practical tool all Salt Lakers can use: 

Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure for local parks. Want a dog park near a playground? A pavilion for a party? A spot with pickleball courts and a working water fountain? You can filter for all of it (click the “layers” icon, then “filters,” and choose your amenities).

It also shows you who manages each park, so if you want to report a broken bathroom or push for improvements, you know exactly who to contact.

Because we’re park nerds (aren’t you?), we hired an urban planner, Paulo Aguilera, to help analyze the data. Here are a few patterns that stood out:

The “perfect” family-friendly park is rare

: Only 3% of parks have the full combo of playground, splash pad, picnic tables, water fountains, and bathrooms. None are in Salt Lake City.

: 69% of parks don’t have year-round restroom access.

Wealth doesn’t necessarily equal better parks

: Some cities with lower median incomes actually have more amenities per park than wealthier ones.

: About one in four households in Salt Lake County isn’t within a 10-minute walk of a park.

: This is human-collected data, so there may be a few gaps. If you spot something off, you can let the team know at 

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting this park’s project. Spring is an ideal time to 

. The season doesn’t just arrive, it hatches. Discover what’s taking flight this spring!

What started as a New Year’s resolution has turned into a practical tool all Salt Lakers can use: a free, interactive map of all Salt Lake County parks! 

The City Cast Parks Map

How To Use the City Cast Parks Map

 on Saturday, we have a roundup of the best local dogs in Salt Lake.

, aka a winner winner Sonoran hot dog dinner. Try their spin on a classic, the Arizona dog, which is topped with green chile nacho cheese and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

A Utah classic for good reason, it’s a reliable dog for a decent price. You can get a beef or polish dog and fries for around $10.

The brats at Beer Bar are where it’s at. They have everything from bahn mi to veggie varieties. Also a great place to watch the Utah Mammoth game or 

Hot Dogs Outside the Delta Center (and on Main Street)

Not their official name, but you know who they are: set up outside the Delta Center after an event or on Main Street on the weekends. No one can resist their $10 dogs and the intoxicating smell of grilled peppers and onions.

In honor of the Great Glizzy Gauntlet on Saturday, we have a roundup of the best local dogs in Salt Lake.

The Best Hot Dogs in Salt Lake

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Salt Lake City. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Salt Lake Food & Drink

Food & Drink

May is all about low-stakes plans: lingering a little longer, trying something new, and maybe even flying a kite? Here’s 

Your Guide to May 2026 in Salt Lake

 is open 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. It’s the kind of place you can stop by after a late-night movie or Real Salt Lake game to grab a coffee (maybe decaf), chit-chat, and hangout.

I sort of feel like we manifested our craving for a cake picnic in 

. The concept of a cake picnic is simple: Everyone brings a cake, so everyone gets to try a lot of cake.

Landlined is a social club with one rule: no phones. Each month they host a different event, from craft nights to dance parties. This month they’re 

 at Publik Kitchen on May 29, but sign up by May 15 so they have a head count.

When’s the last time you flew a kite? The 

 returns May 16 to Tunnel Springs Park with free kites for kids (while supplies last), food trucks, music, and family fun.

It’s the start of yard sale season! Attend a community yard sale where entire neighborhoods turn into treasure hunts.

Saturday, May 9. The 3rd annual Ballpark yard sale will feature 40+ homes.

May is all about low-stakes plans: lingering a little longer, trying something new, and maybe even flying a kite? Here’s what to check out this month.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in May 2026

Find the best of everything that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

This Saturday, April 26 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake.

Participate in the Utah Indie Bookshop Crawl

 (you must have a physical map, and copies are limited at bookstores).

Pick your route: The Sprint or The Marathon.

: Collect 10 stamps on April 25, 2026. Pick up your prize from the SLC library (while supplies last).

: You have until Dec. 31, 2026 to get a stamp from all 25 locations on the map. Collect your prize at the last bookstore.

The Legendarium reigns in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books. They’ve also got a cutie cafe in the back, so you can really spend all day there.

Under the Umbrella is a queer bookstore and cafe that celebrates queer authors and creates a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. They have a 

Find the golden ticket for a year’s worth of audiobook credits.

And a fun queer bookstore rally with The Legendarium

This bookstore (and book cart!) has quickly become a community staple. On April 25, take 15% off the whole store, and search for 

Lovebound Library specializes in romantic novels. Don’t miss their 

, featuring Pie Flight and Space Tea and a bunch of other ways to celebrate!

The King’s English will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s the first local bookstore I frequented as a youth (I was raised on libraries and a certain big-box bookstore that shall not be named). Glad to see their 

 (with something that rhymes with shmello snot) is back!

This Saturday, April 25 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake. 

The Best Salt Lake Indie Bookstores

The Best Indie Bookstores

Test how closely you’ve been paying attention to the news in Salt Lake with this mini crossword puzzle. 

Salt Lake November News Crossword Puzzle

What Salt Lakers have been wondering. We break down why things in Salt Lake City are the way they are and how they work.

Salt Lake, Explained

Test your memory with our mini news crossword. Every clue comes straight from a recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletter!

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Think you know what it costs to live in Salt Lake City? Take our quiz and guess the rent on these local listings.

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

Spring in Salt Lake means blooming trees, warmer days, and that unmistakable smell. Test your knowledge on the city’s most notorious tree.

Test Your Salt Lake Knowledge

A Stinky Tree Quiz

Maybe you skim the news, maybe you read everything: see how much stuck with this week’s mini news crossword.

Hint: Find the answers in recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletters.

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Lately, I’ve seen a number of Australian-style coffee shops in Salt Lake City popping up on my feed. But what even is Australian coffee?

“Australian coffee” isn’t necessarily a specific bean or roast, it’s more about the culture. Instead of chains, Australia’s coffee culture evolved through neighborhood cafes, with baristas focusing on quality and craft. It’s no wonder they fit right into Salt Lake City’s independent coffee scene.

If there is one drink that represents Australian coffee the most, it’s the flat white (though Australia and New Zealand both claim to have invented it). A flat white is made with espresso and finely frothed milk for a signature silky texture. Compared to a typical American latte, it’s stronger and contains a lot less milk.

Generally, flavored syrups aren't as common. But if you want something sweet try an iced coffee, which is espresso, milk, and ice cream. And if you’re in Tyra Banks’ Australia (aka Sydney) you can get a 

Where To Find Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

: One of the newest coffee shops in Millcreek. They take the laid back approach to Aussie coffee culture. Plus, they have a sick kookaburra mural, so you know they’re legit.

An Australian-owned restaurant in Park City that serves Aussie-style iced coffee (cold brew nitro and ice cream).

: With locations in Salt Lake City and Sandy, the founder has over 20 years of coffee experience that started in Sydney. You’ll find flat whites and iced coffee here.

: An Australian-style coffee truck, on a brief hiatus while the owner (a professional rugby player) plays rugby in Boston. But they’re set to reopen in the summer. Bonus: They 

What Is Australian Coffee?

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

This winter has been the warmest in Salt Lake City history, but that’s not the only thing we have in the record books. Think you know what other records SLC holds? Test your knowledge in our mini crossword.

A Mini Crossword of Salt Lake’s Record-Breaking Moments

Are you keeping up with Salt Lake news? See how much stuck with this week’s mini crossword.

Pssst: You’ll find the answers in recent 

Salt Lake February News Crossword Puzzle

If you’re in the market for a furry addition to your home, check out some of the most irresistible pets up for adoption in Salt Lake.

A senior pit bull terrier mix with sweetest puppy dog eyes. At Best Friends Animal Society, adoption fees are waived for any senior dogs or cats over seven-years-old.

If you have space for two, consider this father-and-son duo at Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering.

: I can’t quite explain why, maybe it’s the gray beard, but Mavi the nine-year-old cat at Nuzzles & Co looks like Oscar Isaac.

. This zany two-year-old is litter box trained and good with dogs.

Salt Lake, Explained

Salt Lake November News Crossword Puzzle

Terina Ria

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Salt Lake, Explained

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

A Stinky Tree Quiz

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

A Mini Crossword of Salt Lake’s Record-Breaking Moments

Salt Lake February News Crossword Puzzle

The Cutest Pets for Adoption in Salt Lake Right Now

The latest in Salt Lake

The Mayor’s $499 Million Budget Proposal

The Best Dog Parks in Salt Lake

Salt Lake Chatter: Parks Edition

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Salt Lake Parks?

How To Use the City Cast Parks Map

The Best Hot Dogs in Salt Lake

Your Guide to Salt Lake in May 2026

The Best Indie Bookstores