Bluffdale police vote likely will be tabled

BLUFFDALE — After months of debate, Bluffdale will vote on the fate of its police force Tuesday — that is, if its council can agree.

There's a likelihood the vote will be tabled, as few residents have weighed in during public hearings, and the council is still unable to reach a unanimous decision on who will police the small south valley city.

The city has been studying three options since the summer, spanning the election of a new mayor and two city counselors. On the table is joining Salt Lake County's Unified Police Department, contracting with Saratoga Springs police force or creating its own department.

City counselors at a meeting Saturday butted heads over coverage.

"(With UPD), we're not getting the service out here that we should," Councilman Noell Nelson said, pitching a self-provide model to the Concerned Citizens Committee. "I think this is a time you've got to put your foot forward and implement it."

"(The meeting) is for them to listen and ask questions, not for you to sell what you're wanting to do," said councilman Bruce Kartchner.

Costs for the three options vary. With UPD, Bluffdale would be paying $656,531. Contracting with Saratoga Springs would cost $687,583 (and $643,983 by year two). Creating a Bluffdale police force would cost $955,836 for the first year and $843,506 by year two.

The 18-member committee appointed by the council met for more than four hours Saturday. Made up of many former and current police officers, the group spent a significant amount of time analyzing cost estimates of the self-provide model.

"You budget something you can afford, and this is not something you can afford," said resident Wayne Mortimer.

While a Bluffdale force is appealing, it's too expensive, the group agreed.

The consensus was to ditch UPD, go with a Saratoga Springs contract and work toward a self-provide model in better economic times.

Bluffdale currently contracts with UPD, but the city has not been happy with the county department. Bluffdale wanted a UPD option that would allow it to control its service level, but UPD won't budge, city officials said.

Of particular concern is that, under UPD, Bluffdale does not have a dedicated officer at all hours.