Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A group of Salt Lake County residents has filed a lawsuit in 3rd District Court seeking to invalidate the outcome of the upcoming vote on a $47 million bond issue to complete major trails, develop parks and purchase land for future park development.
According to a news release from the group, its members are concerned that "bond proceeds may be diverted by the new incoming administration for projects other than the six projects proposed by outgoing Mayor Peter Corroon."
The language of Proposition 1, which is on the general election ballot for Salt Lake County, "does not specify how bond money will be used if Proposition 1 is approved by the voters," the news release states.
Salt Lake County voters will decide whether to raise their property taxes — $5.73 per year on a residence valued at $238,000 for the 20-year life of the bond — to develop three parks, purchase land for another and substantially complete two major trails.
"It's a classic example of government not following the rules and taking our tax money without being accountable," petitioner Danny Potts, said in a statement.
Potts, Jeff Salt and Eric G. Harvey, all registered voters who reside in Salt Lake City, filed the complaint in state court Tuesday as pro se petitioners.
"We're not against parks and trails. We're all for that. We just want to make sure the public gets what was promised, and to prevent a $47 million bait-and-switch from happening," Potts said.
In late September, Salt and two other community activists argued unsuccessfully before the Salt Lake County Council to remove the bond issue from the Nov. 6 ballot because of procedural flaws. Attorneys representing the county on the bond said critics of the bond cited the wrong points of law in their arguments.
In its 162-page complaint, the group also alleges that Salt Lake County has violated several laws regarding elections and issuing government bonds, and has engaged in deceptive advertising practices by not distributing a voter information pamphlet and informing voters about the bond, and promising to create "natural habitat" when it has no intention of doing so.
The lawsuit was filed against the Salt Lake County Council, mayor and clerk.
Jim Braden, spokesman for Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, said Thursday that the county had not been served with the complaint and had no comment. Salt Lake County officials were scheduled to conduct a previously scheduled news conference on Proposition 1 Thursday afternoon.
