From Deseret News archives:
Sheriff's office, Cottonwood Heights butt heads on cost of police service
The county sheriff says he can save Cottonwood $698,915 a year if they stick with the county; the city argues they can save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and have more officers with their self-providing model.
"The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office has served the citizens of Cottonwood Heights for over a century," Sheriff Jim Winder said. "The sheriff's office provides you with many benefits. But at the end of the day, the sheriff's office provides you with men and women who have been serving this community since it was born."
Winder asked the city to give the sheriff's office two years to prove they can give Cottonwood the community-focused model they desire.
Sheriff Sgt. Shane Hudson presented the department's response to a Cottonwood Heights-commissioned study by Salt Lake-based Bonneville Research. If the city leaves the sheriff's office, he listed dozens of specialty services they'd be missing out on, like a SWAT team, crime lab, metro gang unit and terrorism task force.
"The expertise they provide is phenomenal. They provide an expertise that, frankly, smaller units don't get," Hudson said.
On top of that, Councilman Bruce Jones pointed out that the cities who already self-provide have given Cottonwood Heights different numbers than the sheriff's office presented.
Hudson said Draper has seen an increase in police spending of 50 percent in four years since self providing, and Taylorsville has seen a 50 percent increase in three years. The sheriff's office, however, sees budget increases of about 5 percent a year
"They believe they're saving a lot of money," Jones said. "These cities tell us something different than what you're presenting. You think they're wrong?"
Hudson responded: "I believe so. Their services are diminished for a higher price."
Most of the residents who spoke at a recent public hearing were against a self-providing model. However, many had ties to the sheriff's office.
Comments
- Lakers booed at home in loss 12:53 a.m.
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full 12:51 a.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 12:50 a.m.
- Students from abroad come to Utah 12:26 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:18 a.m.
- Sports briefs 12:17 a.m.
- Editorial: Red flags at Fort Hood 12:14 a.m.
- Rid Capitol Hill of 'roaches' 12:14 a.m.
- Health proposal not 'reform' 12:14 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:14 a.m.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
230 - TCU creams U.
225 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
206 - Will state consider gay rights law?
149 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
125 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
97 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
88
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
No, students are NOT safe from predators. If a parent wants to make sure...
If you really think Mormon's are mainstream, you must not have paid attention...
I don't see the schools presidents voting to get rid of WYM or NM, even...
why people complain about how football is covered by the media too much. when...
A little perspective is not a bad thing. Notice the Cougar's won loss record...
I actually was encouraged by some aspects of the game. Any Utah fan who has...
A story about Mormons as minorities? In this paper? Get over the "victim"...
she was an awesome woman someone i looked up to when i was younger she was...
Wow you just made one of the dumbest comments I've heard yet. Fire Bronco????...
Re: Huh?, You like many other haters are probably oblivious to many obvious...

You can be the first to comment on this story.