Christensen said he'd prefer that Anderson move the issue forward before he leaves office, "because he's the most familiar with it."

Anderson has expressed concerns about the fairness of Salt Lake City residents and business owners shouldering the financial burden of public safety alone when nonprofit organizations, churches, hospitals and governmental entities reap the benefits without paying anything.

Anderson favors the creation of a citywide fire protection district in which all property owners would pay their fair share for fire protection. Because it would not be a tax, no one would be exempt, he said. Anderson also has suggested a commuter tax to help offset the costs for police protection.

Christensen says he doesn't see that happening because it would have to be a statewide initiative.

"Unfortunately, one of (Anderson's) legacies may be the public safety administration building," Christensen said. "I've thought we should name it after him."

Other options include funding the new public safety facilities with sales tax bonds, which do not require a public vote. Council members are wary of that idea, though, because it would take funds away from other projects.

The city also could allocate more money from the general fund to public safety and then have the police and fire departments build the construction projects into their respective budgets. That, too, would take money from other city departments and likely would hinder efforts to increase law enforcement personnel.

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com