Do studies conducted by Cottonwood Heights EVER result in a result different than what the mayor and city council want?

The interlocal agreements would leave Cottonwood Heights exposed. In the event of a major event for the entire valley... who do you think the police forces of Sandy, Draper, and Murray will serve first? Cottonwood Heights? I think not.

Do these studies ever include all the hidden costs?
Fleet maintenance? Search and rescue? K9? Crime scene techs? Dispatch? Vehicle storage? Vehicle equipment? Officer equipment? Officer training? Support and admin staff? Building costs and maintenance (like lawn care)? Specialists like school officers, public relations, citizen reps?

No one ever goes back to, say Taylorsville, and compares the ORIGINAL study with the ACTUAL costs several years into to their own department.

Media like the DN are quick to report the original study, but never go back in a couple of years and do a comparison. If they did, that would serve the community and reflect real journalism -- but it would take a lot of effort. You might find the "study" missed a lot of incidential and "other" costs and that the original study served the elected folk, but not the tax payers.

Consultants know who butters the bread, but ignore who pays the taxes.

Be careful! And DN, how about some followup to the other cities who did the same thing?

You describe the city as a "south valley city." Maybe an east side city, but not south! Poor writing and attention to detail.

Hidden Costs: a perusal of the actual study reveals which costs were considered:
Fleet maintenance? YES
Search and rescue? This is a County responsibility
K9? YES
Crime scene techs? YES
Dispatch? YES
Vehicle storage? YES
Vehicle equipment? YES
Officer equipment? YES
Officer training? YES
Support and admin staff? YES
Building costs and maintenance? YES - although the study is based on leasing new space...
Specialists like school officers, YES
public relations, NO - other than standard city staff
citizen reps? YES - SAY officers and COP officers are included.

I do second your request that the media go back and compare Taylorsville and Draper's studies with actuall costs. That would be very instructive!!

Where? - I'd consider anything south of I-215 "South Valley" - sure Draper is further, but someone always is (until you're visiting penguins). I'd consider them an East side city as well.