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Holladay • A public hearing on the proposed annexation of the Olympus Hills area of unincorporated Salt Lake County into Holladay drew a full house Thursday night, though few took the opportunity to speak.

Among those who aired their views, supporters outnumbered opponents 4-1.

Real-estate adviser John Bradshaw, a leading advocate of the proposed annexation affecting some 3,600 residents in the area between 3900 South and 4500 South, from 2700 East to Interstate 215, was first to speak.

He noted the many commonalities of Olympus Hills with Holladay and said if the annexation goes through, the city will be able to "expand [its] footprint."

Resident Linda Hilton, though, strongly opposed the annexation.

"We are not dying to be in Holladay. We would like to be left alone. We would like to remain in Millcreek," Hilton said.

Hilton's main concern is higher taxes if the annexation is completed and she noted many households in her neighborhood are headed by single mothers and older residents who rely on Social Security to make ends meet.

She said she doesn't see a lot of upside for the city in the annexation.

"We bring a tanning salon, a nail salon, a gas station that's out of business and a 7-Eleven," Hilton said.

A feasibility study found that the area in question is largely residential, with just a sprinkling of sales-tax generating commercial property.

It also found that homeowners could face slightly higher taxes, ranging from $1.71 to $5.67 per $100,000 of value annually. Businesses could see taxes creep up $3.10 to $10.30 annually per $100,000 in property value.

Susan Pohlman, who actively petitioned for annexation, said most residents support the move.

"The vast majority of the people we contacted were desirous, were excited, were happy at the prospect of becoming part of Holladay … we always felt a part of Holladay," Pohlman said.

No decision was made at the hearing, the next-to-last step in the complex process of annexation. A City Council vote is scheduled Thursday and the council is expected to approve the proposal.

Councilman Lynn Pace ended the public hearing by saying the main goal of the city is to "perpetuate that sense of community" in the city.