"We don't really have much choice," Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall said Monday. "If we're going to be negatively impacted by someone else's vote, there is a fairness issue there."
Although the counterattack still needs City Council approval, Taylorsville and Herriman - and possibly other west-side cities - plan to sue in state or federal court to stop County Clerk Sherrie Swensen from putting proposed Granite and Jordan school district divisions before east-side voters.
That's if the ballot proposal clears its biggest hurdle: the Salt Lake County Council, on July 31.
The promised lawsuit also could include Riverton, Bluffdale and South Jordan, Herriman Mayor Lynn Crane said. But those cities still are weighing their options.
East-side Salt Lake County cities have proposed that Jordan and Granite school districts be split along the Jordan River. Under a 2006 state law, only voters within a potential new district are allowed to decide whether to break away.
Supporters maintain the process, similar to the one voters follow when incorporating a new city or town, is fair. Opponents argue the law violates the equal-protection clause of the U.S. Constitution by disenfranchising west-siders.
"Taxation without representation is what they used to call it," said Wall, whose city is within the Granite School District. Feasibility studies have found that the proposed district divisions likely would boost property taxes on the west side, where most new growth and demand for new schools are projected.
West Jordan, which is investigating forming its own school district, and West Valley City have been less vocal on the issue.
"We're sort of taking a back seat and seeing how everything shakes out," said West Valley City spokesman Aaron Crim. But City Councilman Mike Winder said the city could join a lawsuit if it becomes apparent a division would hurt constituents.
South Jordan Mayor Kent Money opposes the proposed Jordan School District split, but his City Council will have to decide whether to sue.
"I hope that - whatever we do - we would be in unison" with other west-side cities, he said. "Our children's education is the most important thing. But let's do it right, and let's be fair about it."
rwinters@sltrib.com
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* STEVE GEHRKE contributed to this story.
The Taylorsville City Council will decide Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. whether to appropriate funds for a possible lawsuit over proposed school-district splits and will vote on a resolution asking the County Council to not put the issue before voters.
