This community study was done at the same time that another survey showed that more than 50 percent of township residents surveyed wanted Millcreek to stay a township or stay unincorporated. Less than one-eighth of those responding said that they wanted to be incorporated and another one-eighth or less wanted to be annexed into an adjacent city.

The study showed that about 25 percent wanted to change from being unincorporated in the county. Recent stories have quoted Holladay and Salt Lake City leaders indicating that the survey showed that citizens of the unincorporated county wanted annexation into a city. The survey was clear, and city leaders should reread the survey if they just don't get it.

The biggest reasons for remaining an unincorporated township were 1) known commodity 2) benefit of scale and 3) if it ain't broke, why fix it? The survey showed very clearly that more than 50 percent of the property owners in the township felt comfortable with remaining unincorporated.

The known commodity also refers to the fact that Salt Lake County does not levy franchise taxes. Recently Holladay city levied a 6 percent franchise tax that it figured would add $240 a year to a property owner's taxes. When we looked at the Salt Lake County and Salt Lake County municipal services line items on our property tax notices, we got about $300 for an average home. So obviously our taxes would almost double if we incorporated or annexed.

The county provides significant benefit of scale that cannot be matched for efficiency by any city in the county. We don't need more administration buildings. The Salt Lake County Unified Fire Service District and Salt Lake County sheriff significantly benefit county citizens.

In the case of law enforcement, recent stories in the media have shown how inefficient and ineffective are the 17 different law enforcement entities in the county.

Criminals can go from one jurisdiction to another after being arrested for criminal activities (like drug dealing and gambling) and it significantly increases the crime rate. When gangs can go from Glendale to Sandy in 30 minutes, it doesn't make sense to rely on 10 different police forces to stop them. Studies indicate that there would be a 50 percent decrease in crime in the Salt Lake Valley if there were just one law enforcement organization.

Emergency communications are a big problem with so many different public safety groups in the valley. Despite efforts since 9/11 to improve communication between emergency services, we seem to be making it harder.

The proponents of incorporation and annexation say that cities provide more local say in community affairs and that they can have more effect on schools, but the township model does provide local say through community councils.

Mayor Peter Corroon and the County Council appear to be giving more respect and influence to the community councils and they often attend the meetings. The township community councils provide significant community involvement in county affairs by recommending general planning, zoning and service changes.

They can recommend zoning changes that can increase students feeding into a school and decrease the pressure to close schools.

---

* GEORGE CHAPMAN is vice chair of the Remain a Township Exploratory Committee, Millcreek Township.