Mayor Rocky Anderson's proposed property tax increase would generate $1.4 million to hire 15 officers and two administrators. It would cost $9.45 more a year on a home worth $150,000 and $114 more on a $1 million business.

Tonight, Mayor Rocky Anderson will suggest raising taxes to hire more police officers in Salt Lake City, said his spokeswoman, Deeda Seed.

It will be the major issue as the City Council considers the city's $662 million budget for 2005-06, said City Council Chairman Dale Lambert, and it could spark a showdown with the city's employee unions.

Jack Tidrow, president of the city's Firefighters Local 1645, said he would oppose the tax hike if some of the money weren't used to boost firefighter pay. City firefighters make an average of $49,346 a year, according to an analysis by The Salt Lake Tribune.

There is also frustration among police officers about their pay. They make more than officers elsewhere in Salt Lake County at an annual average of $45,981, according to the analysis. The police union president couldn't be reached Monday.

Salt Lake City is negotiating contracts with both unions. No city employee received a cost-of-living raise last year. Tidrow said another year without a raise could cause a "morale issue."

The mayor wants to hire 15 more police officers and two administrators to boost patrols on streets at night and in parks, Deputy Mayor Rocky Fluhart said last week.

Lambert said although he would like more officers, "I don't want to vote on a tax increase."

He said the council will have to discuss whether more officers are needed - he said not all council members believe they are - and whether they can be hired without a tax hike.

The Utah Taxpayers Association plans to lobby the council to vote against the proposed tax boost.

Mike Jerman, vice president of the association, said the city's property tax rate is high enough - higher than any other city in Salt Lake County. And city taxes are expected to jump even more since voters in 2003 agreed to put money toward five projects: open space, Hogle Zoo, a youth soccer complex, Tracy Aviary and the old library building.

hmay@sltrib.com