PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2018
CONTACT: Katie Matheson | Alliance for a Better Utah
AFTER CAMPAIGNING TO END RAISES, SANDY MAYOR GIVES HIMSELF RAISE
Salt Lake City, UT – Sandy City Mayor Kurt Bradburn has reportedly given himself a $15,000 raise, without the approval, or even the knowledge, of the Sandy City Council. Chase Thomas, policy and advocacy counsel with the Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement in response:
“Who knew that answering your texts and scheduling your own appointments qualified you for a salary of $162,000. And two months on the job is hardly enough time to determine your work is worthy of a $15,000 raise. This raise is also extremely hypocritical following a campaign where promises were made to eliminate salary increases and bonuses in the mayor’s office. Seeing this happen at a time when Sandy City first responders are reportedly leaving to find higher paying jobs elsewhere in the valley is unconscionable.
“Ultimately, determining how taxpayer funds will be spent, including how much will go toward a mayor’s salary, is a decision that should be made by the City Council. This process affords the opportunity for public input and for the mayor to actually prove he is worth the raise. At the very least, a raise for the Mayor should be reviewed by the Sandy City Council and, arguably, there should be public notice of any Council debate about such a matter. Although unfortunate that it’s necessary, we urge the Sandy City Council to demand an independent review of Bradburn’s actions and to pass a city ordinance that would prevent this type of action from happening again in the future.”
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Alliance for a Better Utah is a good government advocacy and watchdog organization based in Salt Lake City. The organization works to improve the lives of all Utahns by ensuring balance, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.