Riverton is losing allies in split fight

Taylorsville had been one of the strongest supporters of a legal challenge, but a proposed split of Granite School District will not be on the ballot this year. Wall said that puts Taylorsville in a situation where city officials aren't sure whether the city has any standing in a potential lawsuit.

"We still believe that everyone should have the opportunity to vote on a school-district split," he said. "What we don't know is where we sit on a lawsuit."

South Jordan benefitted from the Legislature lowering the population requirement for new school districts and now has the ability to go out on its own if it chooses to do so. The City Council has approved the use of up to $15,000 for a lawsuit challenging the law, but it hasn't determined whether it will take part the lawsuit, said Chip Dawson, city spokesman.

Riverton officials said the city has only one known remaining ally in the lawsuit: Herriman. Bluffdale, which had expressed interest in joining the fight, has been noncommittal, as has West Valley City.

"We're holding off and looking at the pros and cons of a lawsuit," West Valley spokesman Aaron Crim said. "I expect (the City Council) will make a decision in the next week or two."

The Riverton City Council has not ruled out shouldering the full burden for the lawsuit, which city attorney Ryan Carter estimates at $75,000 and likely more than $100,000 if, as attorneys anticipate, the decision is appealed.

Riverton residents who attended a public hearing Tuesday about whether the city should fund a lawsuit mostly favored the idea, saying they'd rather pay higher taxes now in an attempt to stop a school district split that likely will result in steep increases for several years to come.

"I realize this is a lot of money, but I feel the taxes would make up for it," said resident Nikki Bown. "I hope we can move forward on the lawsuit."

The Riverton City Council opted to take no action Tuesday night, wanting first to get a clear picture of which cities are on board for the legal fight and how the costs will be split. The City Council expects to have that information and make a decision about the lawsuit in the next two weeks.

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