The City Council voted unanimously to back a general obligation bond for a proposed public safety facility, which will appear on the November ballot. Voters will then decide whether they will pay higher property taxes for 5 acres of structures that would nearly double the size of the current facility.
"There's nothing more important to our city than public safety," said Councilman Dave Buhler, who is also running for mayor. "We'll see what the voters do."
A recent Tribune poll showed 52 percent of respondents supported bonding for the upgrades - a move that would increase taxes on a $300,000 home by more than $176 annually and impact a $1 million commercial property by $1,071 a year.
The business community has complained it would bear too much of the costs, but members of the police and firefighting forces said Tuesday that businesses generate a need for more services.
"An increase in daytime population means a surge in traffic, which can cause medical problems, traffic accidents and these issues that are both police and fire concerns," said Salt Lake City Fire Captain Scott Winkler.
Police Lt. Melody Gray agreed, adding that the police frequently respond to businesses for robberies, fights and other issues that are less common at residences.
"This is a huge relief," Gray said.
The proposed public safety complex, including an emergency operations center and a parking structure, would replace an old police station that lacks room and is riddled with structural issues.
"This is not a Taj Mahal, but it's something to help [our forces] meet their basic training requirements," said Lyn Creswell, the police department's chief administrative officer.
The council also unanimously passed a resolution opposing a school funding equalization bill that is before a special session of the Utah Legislature today. That proposed legislation would strip millions of dollars from Salt Lake, Murray and Granite school districts, and hand Jordan School District an additional $14 million.
Salt Lake City's schools stand to lose $11.3 million if that bill passes, leaving taxpayers to fill that void with a $107 yearly increase on a $300,000 home and a $648 annual hike on a $1 million business. sgehrke@sltrib.com
