The $192 million general obligation bond would fund a new downtown public safety complex, including an emergency operations center, administration building, evidence storage and parking structure. It would also fund a new east-side police precinct, fire station and training center.

The new structures would more than double the size of the city's existing public safety facilities. A recent Tribune poll showed 52 percent of the respondents in favor of bonding for the police and fire upgrades.

However, in an Aug. 14 letter to City Council Chairman Van Turner, the Salt Lake Chamber urged postponing the council's decision until several questions could be answered.

For one, the chamber had concerns about the disparate amount that commercial land owners would pay in property taxes in comparison to homeowners.

They also wondered if there had been enough public input shaping such a large tax increase.

Until the business community has had an opportunity to understand the issue and cost implications of the bond, chamber President Lane Beattie asked, in writing, that the council delay placing it on the ballot for voter approval.

"One policy question they ask is how this ranks in terms of other city projects," said Councilman Carlton Christensen. "I can't think of anything more important than public safety."

Councilman Eric Jergensen agreed but favored postponing the council's decision for a week.

"The opportunity to respond to their concerns - if it takes a week, we owe them that," Jergensen said. "I would much rather have the chamber on board and in support because we took the time to respond."

According to public safety officials, no new police facilities have been built since the mid-1960s - and new firefighting equipment won't fit through the doors of fire stations built in the 1970s.

In the event of an earthquake, current facilities would fall short of meeting the needs of even a minor disaster, the July 3 public safety report said.

If the council approves placing the matter on November's ballot, fire and police personnel plan to educate the public in the months ahead about the pressing need for the public safety improvements.

Should the bond fail, other funding sources must be sought to renovate and expand existing police facilities, and fire stations will remain on the city's capital improvement list for future replacement.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com