Voters Conflicted over Public Safety Bond

11.03.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Voters decide today whether Salt Lake City will issue a $125 million bond to replace the aging public safety building with a new administrative headquarters and emergency operations center. The vast majority of those exiting the Sweet Library polling location this morning voted in favor of the bond. But many of them, like Avenues resident Carolyn Clark, were conflicted about their vote.

“I voted for it, but I don’t like it,” Clark said. “I voted for it because I feel like right now maybe we can get more for less because of the economy. But I think that there should be other ways of funding that building than having a bond.”

Clark said she didn’t want a property tax increase, but felt something had to be done. Other voters who said “yes” on Proposition One were still concerned about the proposed location for the building across the street from Library Square. But some cited the poor condition of the current building, and their support of civil servants and public safety.

Still, the tax increase was ill-timed for voter Jeff Hayes, who said “No” on Prop One.

“[It’s] probably more of a matter of principle really,” Hayes said. “I mean, you know everybody is kind of taking a hit the past, I don’t know, 18 months or so. And I don’t think government should be any different. You know, just everybody ought to be in this sort of together. And when this thing starts to turn around, maybe start thinking about some new facilities, things like that.”

If passed, Proposition One will increase property taxes by $75 per year for a $260,000 home, and $136 per year on a business of the same value.