In a written statement, Riverton's council said a lawsuit is not "the most effective means to assure equitable distribution of education tax revenues for Riverton City students and taxpayers."
Councilman Brad Markus said Friday the issue boiled down to a question of equalization - or equal funding of new schools spread throughout Salt Lake County.
"It's better to work with those who could help make equalization occur so the children would benefit, and one area does not have to pay for the entire burden of growth," Markus said.
Meanwhile, West Jordan and the east-side cities that are currently part of Jordan School District are putting on the November ballot proposals to establish their own school districts. South Jordan might do the same in February.
The rush to form new districts, Markus said, is like a game of "musical desks" - everybody is now seated except Riverton, Herriman and Bluffdale.
And while several west-side cities voiced opposition to the east-side-only vote, Herriman now stands alone in the litigation challenging the constitutionality of the east-side-only vote.
The City Council in that southwest Salt Lake County city voted to file a lawsuit that is expected to be filed early next week. Some Herriman council members said the selective vote violates the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment by denying west-siders a vote on an issue that will affect them.
Riverton is focusing on working with lawmakers toward equalization.
"We're very hopeful that they will be amenable to our concerns," said Councilwoman Gayla Brinkerhoff. "We don't like to leave Herriman alone, but on the other hand, what would we win with a lawsuit?"
Another consideration was the price tag, which went up every time a west-side city dropped out. With the entire coalition, Brinkerhoff said, the cost was around $75,000 - a $15,000 contribution from each city.
"With just Herriman and Riverton, the price may have been a lot larger," Brinkerhoff said. "When you start spending the city money, that's just a hard decision."
sgehrke@sltrib.com
