A recent policy announcement by Salt Lake City regarding the indefinite end to maintenance of city streetlights is an alarming indicator of serious problems within city government.
This ill-fated "lights out" policy confirms the growing public perception that the administration of Mayor Ralph Becker and the City Council are incompetent to manage the affairs of Utah's largest city and no longer represent the values of the greater community.
The city's new "lights out" policy states, "Due to Salt Lake City budget reductions, ⦠many street lights illuminating the public right-of-way in Salt Lake City are no longer being maintained. Lights not being maintained will function until something occurs, such as bulb burnout, wiring problem, etc. When this happens, the affected light(s) will remain out indefinitely until budget is restored."
Taxpayers expect the city to always provide basic essential services such as police, firefighting and streetlights, even during a recession. People want to see where they are going when they go out at night.
Streetlights are essential for supporting overall public safety, especially traffic, pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Effective street lighting also signifies community investment and pride in an area, which contribute to community cohesion, social control and reductions in crime, and ultimately to the quality of life.
The Becker administration has amassed a record budget deficit of nearly $18 million. City officials blame their budget crisis on the recession and diminishing tax revenues. In response, the administration has slashed programs and services and eliminated scores of employees to cut costs.
For example, the Public Services Department reduced its 2010-2011 budget by $6 million. Sixty-six full-time employee positions and scores of seasonal and part-time positions were eliminated. The Youth and Family Services budget was cut by 37 percent, eliminating 40 part-time teaching positions. The YouthCity Artways program was abolished completely.
Despite these drastic cost-cutting measures, the city still cannot afford to maintain essential programs and services such as streetlights, or retain valuable, long-time public employees.
Ironically, after all of the budget cuts and firings, the city believes it can still afford to spend millions on nonessential projects like the Regional Sports Complex. During the recently completed budget cycle, the administration warned that several large projects, including the Regional Sports Complex, will have a future impact on annual public services and program budgets.
To add insult to injury, the Becker administration is currently seeking an additional $3.5 million appropriation for the Regional Sports Complex. This arrogant request, which comes less than one month after final approval of the 2010-2011 budget, coupled with the administration's flippant warning about future impacts to public services and program budgets clearly demonstrates the city's incompetence and disregard for the needs of the greater community.
The city's epic financial crisis and ridiculous "lights out" policy cannot be blamed solely on the recession. The city's financial woes have been exacerbated by irresponsible and reckless decisions by the Becker administration and the City Council. Salt Lake City's stubborn commitment to the Regional Sports Complex during a time of unprecedented austerity should anger residents, business owners and taxpayers.
Streetlights and public safety are essentials; groomed soccer fields are an extravagance. Salt Lake residents should not accept reductions in essential services like streetlights and public safety in exchange for soccer fields.
The City Council should turn the lights out on the Regional Sports Complex, not our streets, by denying the administration's $3.5 million request.
It's time for a re-vote on the Prop. 5 bond.
Jeff Salt, Nancy Saxton and Dan Potts lead the Jordan River Restoration Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Jordan River and its watershed resources.
