Rep. Dave Cox, R-Lehi, an elementary school teacher and and a member of the study committee, was the driving force behind the petition to create a new district, sponsoring legislation that opened the door for the study. He says if the measure is placed on the ballot, voters will have to determine how much a quality education is worth.

"Voters will have to ask themselves, 'What kind of a risk are we willing to take to have control over our own education?' " Cox said. "I think it's worth it. It would be an increase but not that much more than what the district has done in the past few years anyway."

Lehi City Councilman Stephen Holbrook has his doubts. "I really don't want my property taxes to go up substantially and still possibly have an inferior district," he said.

County commissioner have remained independent of the committee and will likely study the issue further after they receive the committee's report. The commission has until August to decide if the measure will go on the ballot.

"We are trying to remain independent of the committee because we are supposed to independently review it," Grover said. "But there's nothing to say that we can't

provide some more information or get some information. We are going to do our own research and make sure everything is correct."

If the measure is approved for the ballot, the county will publish a voter information pamphlet containing arguments submitted by both proponents and opponents outlining the costs and benefits of the proposal.

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E-mail: mdecker@desnews.com