"If I'm elected mayor, I will work very hard to move that number down as much as I can responsibly," he said. "We need to build all of these facilities. I don't think it would be responsible to cut any of them out."

A poll conducted for the Deseret Morning News last month indicated that 52 percent of voters would cast their ballot in favor of the proposed bond, despite an expected property tax increase of about $114 per year on a $200,000 home. Another 39 percent said they would vote against the bond and 10 percent said they didn't know, according to the Dan Jones & Associates poll.

The Junior League of Salt Lake City is an organization of more than 600 women committed to promoting volunteer work and improving communities through effective action, education and leadership of trained volunteers.

The Utah League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

League representative Sharon Walkington moderated the debate.

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com