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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.

Campaign promises (1)

  • development
    Chris Wharton has been a proponent of responsible development in Salt Lake City.
    Related votes

At a glance

News mentions
1

Term ending Dec 31, 2030.

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 meetings

Council 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.

Filtered to Environment

Top issues during term (19)(Environment)

critical↑Sep 2026[25]

Airport Wetland Mitigation Property Disposition

Involves a $500,000 appraised value waiver for the conservation easement offsetting the land transaction price.

critical↓Aug 2026[16]

Non-Residential Maximum Daily Water Use Limits

Helps preserve municipal water resources and infrastructure capacity.

medium↑Sep 2026[10]

North Temple Beautification and Tree Replenishment

Funded through previously allocated city funds and municipal maintenance budgets.

critical↓Mar 2026[6]

Maximum Daily Water Use Restrictions

Protects municipal water infrastructure and water rights amid drought conditions.

medium↓Jul 2026[4]

Great Salt Lake water allocation

Not specified in current discussions.

high↓Jun 2026[2]

Water ordinance and its impact

Artificial turf has a high upfront installation cost but may reduce long-term maintenance expenses.

high↓Mar 2026[1]

Water supply

Anticipated conservation may affect city revenue projections; potential future costs for water if conservation efforts are insufficient.

high→Mar 2026[0]

water ordinance, city policy

The emergency water ordinance could lead to

medium↓Feb 2026[0]

water conditions

The city's budget for water management

medium↓Apr 2026[0]

Climate change impact and migration

Potential population decline could reduce the city's tax base, while increased costs for climate adaptation and water management would strain the city budget.

high↓Mar 2026[0]

water ordinance, ICE facility

The emergency water ordinance could lead to

low↓Mar 2026[0]

environmental issue

No direct financial impact identified, as this is an awareness-raising event.

low↓Apr 2026[0]

state environmental law

If fossil fuel companies are not liable for climate

low→Mar 2026[0]

environmental awareness

No direct financial impact identified from the art show itself, though the underlying environmental crisis could have significant future financial implications for the city and residents.

medium↓Apr 2026[0]

drought conditions

The city may face increased costs for water management, infrastructure improvements, or acquiring new water sources, potentially leading to higher water bills for residents and businesses.

high↓Mar 2026[0]

water shortage plan

You might see higher water bills if restrictions lead to increased conservation efforts.

high↓Mar 2026[0]

drought response

The drought response aims to conserve water, which could lead to reduced water bills for residents and businesses who comply with restrictions, potentially offsetting future costs associated with water scarcity.

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 (1)

Recorded while Wharton was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

Voting record (0)(Environment)

No votes found matching Environment.

In the news (1)