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SANDY, Utah (AP) -- Sandy has 13 registered state Capitol lobbyists -- the most per-capita of any city in the state -- a records review found.
The Salt Lake Tribune found the city of about 100,000 residents pays $270,000 for lobbyists, in addition to the $180,000 it pays to the Washington, D.C., firm of DUTKO Worldwide.
No other Utah city comes close in the number of lobbyists, according to the Tribune review of statewide lobbyist registration records and a sampling of city responses to open-records requests.
The lobbyists are an investment, said five-term Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan.
"We believe this is what helps us in our endeavors," he said. "By using lobbyists as consultants, we've been able to get probably tens of millions of dollars for our city."
Dolan said the in-state lobbyists have brought in $4.5 million for reconstruction on 1300 East. He credits DUTKO with helping secure another $24 million in federal funds for the project.
Some Utah lawmakers who represent Sandy questioned the amount of money spent by the city.
"I honestly don't even know who the lobbyists are," said Rep. Trisha Beck, D-Sandy.
Others, like Senate Majority Whip Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, said the amount spent is up to the city and its residents.
"It seems like a large number in and of itself, but it has to be looked at from a cost-benefit analysis, and from the reports we get, it is money well spent," said city councilman Stephen Smith.
Four lobbyists are registered for the state's largest municipality, Salt Lake City. But Mayor Ralph Becker's office said in an open-records response that it contracts with just one lobbyist for $40,000.
Lehi has a $36,000 contract with The Tetris Group and five of that firm's lobbyists.
Ogden pays $50,000, with five registered lobbyists.
Provo, like many Utah cities, doesn't hire any lobbyists.
"There is a role for lobbyists, and I wouldn't rule it out if we had a specific need or issue to address, but I don't want a lobbyist for the sake of having one," Provo Mayor John Curtis said.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
