District 3 Council Member· 2026-2030
Chris Wharton
Salt Lake City
About
Chris Wharton's platform appears to focus on responsible development within Salt Lake City, particularly in areas like the Avenues District. As an incumbent, his campaign likely emphasizes his experience and established positions on key local issues.
Contact
Campaign promises (1)
- developmentChris Wharton has been a proponent of responsible development in Salt Lake City.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 119
- Total speaking time
- 16:39:30
- Avg per meeting
- 8:24
- Segments
- 13403
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Voice summary
District 3 Council Member Chris Wharton on the recordAI-generated · 23 meetingsCouncil Member Chris Wharton consistently emphasizes long-term urban planning, fiscal responsibility, and proactive policy-making, frequently balancing development growth with historic preservation and community input. He has been deeply engaged in municipal infrastructure projects, including bond measures for parks and trails, while maintaining a strong focus on public safety, traffic regulation, and the environmental health of the Great Salt Lake. Notable actions include his leadership on labor negotiations, such as securing collective bargaining rights for library employees, and his pragmatic approach to urban development projects like the USA Climbing Headquarters.
Top issues during term (20)
Downtown revitalization
The impact of the Open Streets program on city revenue and business sales is currently under review.
Park development
Provides up to $45.8 million in tax increment reimbursement over a 25-year term.
Proposed Crude Oil Pipeline Expansion Concerns
Financial impacts to the city are currently undetermined pending route finalization and engineering reviews.
Housing Density and Zoning
Null
Ballpark Neighborhood Development
The rezone would allow for mixed-use development on 14.8 acres of city-owned land.
Airport Wetland Mitigation Property Disposition
Involves a $500,000 appraised value waiver for the conservation easement offsetting the land transaction price.
Avenues Community Plan Update
Unknown private commercial investment with proposed community benefit donations.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Funding
Involves a $1.5 billion multi-year capital investment plan and specific FY 2027 project allocations.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Projects
Allocates $3,705,316 from the Depot District Infrastructure Improvements Program.
Rio Grande Plan Integration
The CRA will assume direct responsibility for property insurance and major building components while introducing modest monthly rent payments from the tenant.
Economic Development
Approximately $9.03 million in loan allocations will be distributed across seven projects, utilizing both project area funds and $3.18 million in non-project area revolving loan funds.
Ballpark NEXT Redevelopment
Property value and development potential will shift as parcels transition to mixed-use zoning categories.
Public Funding for Private Development & Precedent
$5.8 million deployed in commercial loans across six projects, funded through revolving loan funds.
License Plate Reader Cameras
Deferred expenditure of a $224,000 federal grant subaward.
sports franchise bid
A new team could mean a big boost to the local economy, with jobs and tax revenue from stadiums and tourism.
Moved or seconded (40)
Motions Wharton personally put forward or seconded. Attribution comes from the minutes; where the minutes name somebody we cannot match to the roster we leave it out rather than guess, so this is a floor, not a total.
- secondedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Council Member Dugan, seconded by Council Member Young to adopt Ordinance 28 of 2026, adopting an ordinance setting the final rate of tax levy, including the final levy fo…
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Director Wharton, seconded by Director Lopez Chavez to adjourn as the Board of the Community Reinvestment Agency and reconvene as the Salt Lake City Council for a Formal M…
- movedpassed 7-12026-08-18
adopt Resolution 6 of 2026, approving the Second Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the Utah Inland Port Authority.
- secondedpassed 7-02026-08-18
close the public hearing and adopt Resolution 2 of 2026, honorarily renaming the City-owned portion of 500 South between State Street and 700 East “Dolores Huerta Boulevard.”
- movedpassed 6-02026-08-18
Moved by Board Member Wharton, seconded by Board Member Petro to adjourn as the Board of the Local Building Authority and reconvene as the Community Reinvestment Agency.
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Board Member Wharton, seconded by Board Member Carlsen to adjourn as the Local Building Authority and reconvene as the Community Reinvestment Agency.
- secondedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Council Member Young, seconded by Council Member Dugan to close the public hearing and refer items G-1 through G-4 to a future Consent Agenda for action.
- movedpassed 5-02026-08-18
Ordinance Zoning Map Amendment at Approximately 256 East 300 South The Council will set the date of Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 7 p.m. to accept public comment and consider adopting an ordinance that would amend the zoning of the property at approximately 256 East 300 South from R-MU (Residential/Mixe
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Director Wharton, seconded by Director Dugan to adjourn as the Community Reinvestment Agency and reconvene as the Salt Lake City Council.
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Director Dugan, seconded by Director Young to adopt CRA Resolution 12 of 2026, approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 CRA Budget reflected in the attached Key Changes spreadshe…
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Resolution: Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the Salt Lake City Library Related to Tax Increment The Council will consider adopting a resolution that would approve the proposed amendment to the interlocal agreement to clarify the intended budget allocations of tax
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Council Member Carlsen, seconded by Council Member Petro to adopt Ordinance 39 of 2026, approving an ordinance enacting Section 2.07.170 related to board member compensati…
- movedpassed 7-12026-08-18
Ordinance: Camping and Obstructing Public Property and Park Rules Text Amendment ~ 4:20 p.m. 30 min. The Council will receive a briefing about a proposal that would amend various sections of
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Resolution: Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the Salt Lake City Library Related to Tax Increment ~ 3:10 p.m
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 7-02026-08-18
Moved by Council Member Carlsen, seconded by Council Member Petro to adopt Ordinance 38 of 2026, approving an ordinance amending the text of Title 5 pertaining to short-term rental…
- movedpassed 7-02026-07-21
Moved by Council Member Wharton, seconded by Council Member Petro to approve the Consent Agenda.
- movedpassed 7-02026-07-21
Moved by Board Member Wharton, seconded by Board Member Carlsen to adjourn as the Local Building Authority and reconvene as the Community Reinvestment Agency.
- movedpassed 7-02026-07-21
Moved by Director Wharton, seconded by Director Dugan to adjourn as the Community Reinvestment Agency and reconvene as the Salt Lake City Council.
- movedpassed 5-02026-07-14
Welcome and Public Meeting Rules
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 7-02026-05-05
The Council will consider adopting a joint ceremonial resolution with Mayor Mendenhall recognizing February as Black History Month in Salt Lake City. Summary: Council Member Young read the resolution
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
Decisions during term (457)
Recorded while Wharton was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Commercial Development Loan Program Funding Allocations
Motion to Enter Closed Meeting
Ordinance: Electric-Assisted Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Other Electric Devices Text Amendment ~ 6:00 p.m.
Approval of Work Session and Formal Meeting Minutes
Adoption of Italian-American Heritage Month Resolution
Public Hearing and Deferral: Waiver of Proximity for Taste of Thai
Public Hearing and Deferral: Zoning Map and General Plan Amendment at 140 North B Street and 272 East 3rd Avenue
Public Hearing and Deferral: Conservation Easement Public Benefits Analysis
Approval of Snow Water Supply Forecasting Grant Resolution
Approval of Consent Agenda (HUD Hearing Date and Board Appointments)
Board Appointment: Public Utilities Advisory Board – John Milliken
Board Appointment: Planning Commission – Landon Kraczek
Board Reappointment: Citizens’ Compensation Advisory Committee – Brandon Dew
Voting record (886)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.