Plan for Unified Police District advances

A proposed Unified Police District took another step toward becoming reality Tuesday. The UPD now has a proposed budget it is ready to share with its participating cities.

An organizing board consisting of mayors, the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and other elected officials passed a motion Tuesday for each of the participating mayors to take the proposed budget to their city councils for votes.

One of the biggest obstacles to the proposed district for most cities has been wondering about funding for the proposed new police agency.

"This budget today demonstrated to the best information we have now that we are in fact in the ballpark," said Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore. "At least it gives a preliminary picture that is actually based on valid assumptions. It gives city councils the chance to say, 'yes, it's worth pursuing.' "

The Unified Police District's proposed budget calls for close to $31 million in annual operating costs and between $500,000 to $1 million in start-up costs. Under the proposal, the estimated breakdown of costs paid by the cities anticipated to join are:

• Cottonwood Heights — $3.9 million

• Holladay — $3.4 million

• Bluffdale — $592,000

• Herriman — $1.1 million

• Riverton — $2.5 million

• Unincorporated Salt Lake County — $19.3 million

For cities like Cottonwood Heights that currently contract with the sheriff's office, they would end up paying more annually for the UPD. But Cullimore said it would be money well spent.

"It's a premium to customize police services to meet local needs," he said. "When compared to the costs of self-providing, it's a bargain."

Cullimore said under the current rates, his city would pay a couple of hundred thousand dollars more to join the UPD than to contract with the county. However, he said it would be very likely that the cost to contract with the county would increase in the coming years, making the UPD an even better deal.

Also Tuesday, the organizing committee received updates on proposed new UPD uniforms, badges and a computer network. In addition, a job description for the new UPD public safety director was approved, meaning the position could be posted soon.