A new look of Salt Lake County law enforcement took a step closer to reality Tuesday as the County Council unanimously approved a resolution to start work on defining the service area for the Unified Police Department.

The move comes after months of work on the issue, including successful passage of a critical bill during the recent legislative session and ongoing efforts to hammer out details of the new agency.

Councilman Jim Bradley told the board that an "aggressive" but achievable timeline is set, aiming to have agreements in place by July 1 and operations under way starting Jan. 1, 2010.

"I believe we've made great strides ... in putting this together," Bradley said. "We ... and the mayor's office, have felt this has been a very good process."

The plan, officially launched in September, will establish a new law enforcement entity for unincorporated Salt Lake County and participating contract cities, tentatively identified as Bluffdale, Herriman, Holladay and Riverton.

Representatives from those cities, as well as Taylorsville and Salt Lake County, have been moving forward with work sessions focused on ironing out the wrinkles of the new agency and how it will operate. Taylorsville is interested in purchasing pooled services, but not becoming a fully contracted entity.

The vision includes the formation of a new governing board, comprised of three Salt Lake County representatives, and a representative from each of the contracting cities. Unlike the previous structure, those contracting cities would have a voice — and a vote — on how to run the business of law enforcement under the new scheme. The county sheriff also has a seat on that board, and the power to veto policy decisions, subject to override by a two-thirds majority vote.

The sheriff's veto power is limited, applying only to policy issues and not to budgetary decisions.

Riverton city manager Lance Blackwood said having a voice on the board is a significant change for cities that contract with the county for police services.

"The creation of the board seems central to the UPD model," Blackwood said. "It gives us representation and a say in assembling budgets, establishing service levels ... unlike now, where we have no seat at the table."

Blackwood stressed that the Riverton City Council had only recently received a draft of the interlocal agreement that would bring the city into the UPD fold, and no decision had yet been made on its involvement.

Jackie Biskupski, assistant to Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder, said the interlocal agreements have been received by all of the contracting cities. Public hearings in those cities are expected as elected leaders consider participation.

E-MAIL: araymond@desnews.com