MINUTES OF THE
INFRASTRUCTURE AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 • 1:15 p.m. • 210 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Chris H. Wilson, Senate Chair
Rep. Keven J. Stratton, House Chair
Rep. Paul A. Cutler, House Vice Chair
Sen. David G. Buxton
Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore
Sen. Wayne A. Harper
Sen. Daniel McCay
Sen. Jen Plumb
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton
Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion
Rep. Brady Brammer
Rep. Kay J. Christofferson
Rep. Joseph Elison
Sen. Karen Kwan
Rep. A. Cory Maloy
Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist
Rep. Andrew Stoddard

Members Absent:
Rep. Colin W. Jack

Staff Present:
Ivan D. Djambov, Finance Manager
Rachel Nicole Boe, Financial Analyst
Amanda Kilian, Financial Analyst
Karen C. Allred, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
1.Call to Order
Chair Cutler called the meeting to order at 1:22 pm.
A new staff member, Rachel Boe, gave an introduction to the subcommittee.
2.Department of Transportation (UDOT) Garden City Presentation
Rob Wight, Region 1 Director, UDOT, gave a presentation on runaway truck crashes in Garden City, and what UDOT is doing to improve safety.
3-UDOT Garden City Presentation
Rep. Stenquist asked about a possible bypass road around Bear Lake. Rob Wight responded that it is not on the current long-range plan
Rep. Maloy asked about the frequency of run away trucks, and how long it takes to make the gates reusable. Rob Wight responded.
Sen. Wilson expressed appreciation to UDOT for working on this safety issue.
3.UDOT Little Cottonwood Canyon Record of Decision
Josh Van Jura, Transit & Trails Director, UDOT, gave a presentation on the Record of Decision, which is the completion of the environmental study phase and the beginning implementation phase. There is a three-phase solution to the Little and Big Cottonwood Canyon's transportation issues. The cost estimates for the different phases were presented, as well as what has already been funded and what is next to be funded.
4-UDOT Little Cottonwood Canyon Presentation
Rep. Brammer asked about revenue estimates of toll roads, and if there will be a revenue stream on the gondola. Josh Van Jura responded.
Rep. Christofferson asked about the bus service role in the transportation solution, with a response from Josh Van Jura.
Rep. Stenquist expressed appreciation for the work that has been done on the study and asked if there is flexibility between the three phases. Josh Van Jura responded. Rep. Stenquist also asked about parking in the canyons, with a response from Josh Van Jura.
Rep. Bennion asked if there is a potential for electric buses and the option for a train. Josh Van Jura responded.
4.Approval of Minutes
MOTION:Sen. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2023 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-6.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. D. Buxton
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Elison
Sen. W. Harper
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. A. Maloy
Sen. D. McCay
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. A. Stoddard
Sen. C. Wilson
Rep. G. Bennion
Sen. K. Cullimore
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. K. Stratton
Sen. R. Winterton
5.Accountable Budget Review - Capital Budget
Rachel Boe, Financial Analyst, Legislative Fiscal Analyst (LFA), gave an overview on the Accountable Budget Process.
5a-ABP Capital Budget Issue Briefs
Amanda Kilian, Financial Analyst, LFA, presented six recommendations for committee members to consider before voting at the October meeting.
5b-ABP Capital Budget Recs Summary
Sen. Harper expressed appreciation to staff for the information and for the agencies response to the recommendations, and the importance for discussion on these items.
Rep. Christofferson commented that capital projects be put in a priority list and those that are not funded stay on the list.
Jim Russell, Director, Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) responded to Rep. Christofferson's suggestion.
Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Financial Officer, Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) commented on Rep. Christofferson's suggestion.
Amanda Kilian discussed issue briefs and next steps. This information can be found on the Utah State Legislature website.
Ivan Djambov, Finance Manager, LFA, gave an accountable budget review and recommendations for the Department of Government Operations (DGO).
6.Accountable Budget Review - Department of Government Operations (DG0)
6-Non-ISF, DGO, Accountable Budget Review, Report, Final
Sen. Buxton asked about the DGO's integrated technology, with a response from Ivan Djambov.
Ivan Djambov continued with the presentation on the budget review and recommendations for DGO.
Chair Cutler expressed appreciation for the detailed work staff provides.
7.UDOT Follow-up on FY 2023 Funding Items
Shara Hillier, Finance Director, UDOT gave a follow-up on funding items for FY 2023.
7-UDOT Follow-up on Funding Items
Rep. Stratton asked about the trails projects funding, with a response from Shara Hillier.
8.DGO Follow-up on FY 2023 Funding Items
Marvin Dodge, Executive Director, DGO, had a handout distributed, and gave a follow-up report on DGO FY 2023 Funding Items, which includes one-time and ongoing funding, expenditures, LFA questions, and the agency response.
8-DGO Follow-up on Funding Items
8a-OIG Follow-up on Funding Items
8b-OIG Follow-up on Funding Items
9.Utah Education Telehealth Network (UETN) Follow-up on FY 2023 Funding Items
Spencer Jenkins, Executive Director, Utah Education Telehealth Network (UETN) gave follow-up information on FY 2023 funding items.
10.Agency Nonlapsing Requests Reports
9-UETN Follow-up on Funding Items
Shara Hillier gave a report on FY 2023 nonlapsing budget requests and the UDOT's use of this funding.
10a-UDOT Nonlapsing Requests
Rep. Stratton asked about the cost of prior years of snow removal compared to last years, with a response from Shara Hillier and Carlos Braceras, Executive Director, UDOT.
Rep. Brammer commented that the snow removal process was exceptional and asked about the Engineering Services Highway Project Management Team, with a response from Carlos Braceras.
Shara Hillier continued with the presentation of UDOT's use of nonlapsing balances.
Marvin Dodge gave a report of DGO's use of non-lapsing balances.
10b - DGO Nonlapsing Requests
10b-OIG Nonlapsing Requests
Rep. Stratton asked about the impact of inflation on the construction projects, with a response from Marvin Dodge.
Spencer Jenkins gave a report of UETN's use of nonlapsing budget requests.
10c-UETN Nonlapsing Requests
Akiko Kawamura, Administrator, Career Service Review Office (CSRO) gave a report online of CSRO's nonlapsing balances.
10d-CSRO Nonlapsing Requests
Rep. Stratton stated that this office plays a key role in keeping efficiency, is a safety valve, and needs to have consideration.
11.Utah Transit Authority Financial Presentation
Jay Fox, Executive Director, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and Viola Miller, Chief Financial Officer, UTA, introduced themselves. Jay Fox stated that the UTA stewardship focuses on integrity and transparency, prudent fiscal management, and on outcome-driven partnership. Viola Miller gave a report on UTA's revenue assumptions and revenue history.
11-UTA Prresentation
Sen. Wilson asked about capital sources and other sources, with a response from Viola Miller and Jay Fox. Sen. Wilson also asked about expenditures, with a response that an explanation of expenditures is coming.
Viola Miller continued explaining past revenue growth and 2023 budget sources and uses.
Chair Cutler asked what percentage of the funding has come from the customer fare. Jay Fox responded.
Viola Miller and Jay Fox continued with sales and use tax growth, sustainable operations, and a 5-year financial plan.
Sen. Wilson asked about the unrestricted cash balance, with a response from Viola Miller and Jay Fox.
Sen. Harper asked how long does the collective bargaining agreement last, with a response from Jay Fox.
Chair Cutler commented on the double tracking system, with a response from Jay Fox.
Viola Miller continued with impacts of stimulus funding ending. Jay Fox spoke about the sustainable future and Transit Transportation Investment Funds (TTIF).
Sen. Wilson commented that there are still more questions of how funds are spent for future meetings. Jay Fox responded.
12.Adjourn
MOTION:Sen. Wilson moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. G. Bennion
Sen. D. Buxton
Rep. K. Christofferson
Sen. K. Cullimore
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Elison
Sen. W. Harper
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. D. McCay
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. K. Stratton
Sen. C. Wilson
Sen. R. Winterton
Rep. B. Brammer
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. A. Maloy
Rep. J. Stenquist
Chair Cutler adjourned the meeting at 4:02 p.m.