Some Salt Lake community leaders want more police

While the Salt Lake City Council isn't looking kindly on Mayor Rocky Anderson's proposed tax increase for more police officers, some community council chairmen citywide are backing the plan, saying residents are willing to pay for more officers.

The Deseret Morning News telephoned all of the city's community council chairmen Monday and of those who were contacted and wanted to express an opinion, eight of the city's 19 community council chairmen expressed support for the tax increase.

"There's a need for more officers, and I think this (tax increase) seems modest," Arcadia Heights/Benchmark Community Council Chairman Dave Mortensen said.

But whether the apparent public support will sway a reluctant City Council remains to be seen. Tonight the council will convene a public hearing, where residents can offer comments on the budget and Anderson's proposed tax hike. The hearing begins at 7 p.m. at the City-County Building, 451 S. State.

Already three council members — Dave Buhler, Carlton Christensen and Van Turner — said they definitely or probably will vote against a tax hike. The other four council members remain undecided. Three of those four — Dale Lambert, Jill Remington and Eric Jergensen — are up for re-election this year and a vote against more police officers might be unpopular.

"There doesn't seem to be a lot of opposition to (the tax increase)," Rose Park Community Council Chairman Kenneth Neal said. "If you can see more police on the road, most people wouldn't object to the increase."

The lone fence-sitter not up for re-election, Nancy Saxton , said she loathes an increase but might acquiesce since residents in her district tell her they support it for more police.

Some council members have said they would like to boost officer levels without a tax increase, but Lambert, who serves as council chairman, told his colleagues last week that there didn't seem to be a way to raise police numbers without more money.

Anderson's $1.4 million tax increase would boost taxes on a $150,000 home by $9.45 annually. A $1 million business would see taxes increase $114.16 a year. The increase would put 15 more officers on the street and add two additional support personal.

"I am of the opinion we probably need a tax increase for law enforcement," Capitol Hill Community Council Chairman Peter von Sivers said. Just east of Capitol Hill, Greater Avenues Community Council Chair Jill Van Langeveld said she also supports raising taxes for police.

Salt Lake City already has the highest tax rate of any Wasatch Front city. But residents of Utah's capital don't pay the largest property taxes in the region because the Salt Lake City School District has low taxes compared to other area districts.