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 (17)(Budget)
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Funding
Involves a $1.5 billion multi-year capital investment plan and specific FY 2027 project allocations.
Financial Accountability
The audit confirmed the agency's financial condition as of June 30, 2024, with no significant findings.
FY 2025-26 Budget Planning
The budget will determine funding levels for city departments, including fire, arts, and infrastructure.
FY 2025-26 City Budget
Involves adoption of the city's annual budget, tax levies, and fee schedules for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Housing and Social Service Funding
The board extended a $150,000 loan for five years, delaying repayment.
City Employee Compensation
The ordinance establishes new annual stipends for leadership positions.
Annual Financial Audit
Customers may see an increase in their utility bills due to proposed rate adjustments.
Library Budget Amendment for Roof Renovation
Neutral impact on the overall library budget through internal fund reallocation.
Municipal Golf Course Funding
The fee increases are expected to generate over $1 million in new revenue for the Golf Fund.
homelessness funding
Could lead to increased state funding for homelessness initiatives in Salt Lake City, potentially easing the burden on the city's budget or allowing for expanded services.
Construction Industry Tax Fraud
Millions of dollars in lost tax revenue for public services.
Airport flight costs
High flight costs directly increase travel expenses for Salt Lake City residents and businesses, potentially impacting local tourism and economic activity.
Environmental funding
If successful, this initiative would bring
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 (40)
Recorded while Wharton was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Ordinance: Budget Amendment No.1 for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Adopt Resolution 15 of 2026: FY 2026-27 CRA Budget Amendment No. 1
Adoption of Final City Budget (Ordinance 45)
Consent Agenda: Set Public Hearing Date for FY 2026-27 Budget Amendment No. 1
LBA Capital Projects Fund Budget Approval
CRA Budget Approval
FY 2026-27 City Budget Adoption
Council Office Operations Budget Reduction
Adopt Budget Amendment No. 5 for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Straw Poll on Council Office Operations Budget Reduction
Close Public Hearing and Schedule Additional Hearing for LBA Budget
Close Public Hearing and Schedule Additional Hearing for CRA Budget
Close Public Hearing and Schedule Additional Hearing for FY 2026-27 Budget Ordinances
Close Public Hearing on CRA Budget Amendment No. 3
Adoption of Resolution 10 of 2026: CRA Budget Amendment No. 3
Adopt Tentative LBA Capital Projects Fund Budget
Adopt Tentative CRA Budget
Adopt Tentative City Budget for FY 2027
Voting record (75)(Budget)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.