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SALT LAKE CITY -- The polls in Utah have closed. Now election volunteers are working to quickly tally the votes.
On Tuesday, Utah voters faced some tough decisions. Many were voting for mayors, city council members and whether to approved bonds. CLICK HERE for the latest results from across the state.
Salt Lake City Proposition 1
In Salt Lake, voters approved Proposition 1--the city's $125 million public safety building bond. The money will be used to build a new police-fire emergency operations center complex.
Earlier in the day, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker said he knew it was a tough time to ask people to pay more, but the complex is greatly needed.
"If there wasn't such a critical need, there's no way I would put this on the ballot this year or encourage the city council to do it," Becker said.
According to city leaders, both the police and fire departments are beyond the point of making do with their current buildings. Each department is dealing with bad plumbing, troublesome electrical systems, and overcrowding.
In 2007, voters rejected a $192 million bond for a public safety headquarters by less than 300 votes. This year's proposition calls for the new buildings to be built across the street from Library Square.
Mayoral races
Meanwhile, at least four mayors fought to keep their offices.
- In Sandy, the latest numbers show Mayor Tom Dolan will keep his seat and serve a fifth term.
- In Murray, Mayor Dan Snarr looks to gain a fourth term and defeat councilwoman Krista Dunn.
- In South Jordan, Mayor Kent Money will most likely beat challenger Aaron Osmond.
- And in St. George, Mayor Daniel McArthur beat challenger Ed Baca, gaining a fifth term in office.
In Stockton, incumbent Mayor Dan Rydalch lost in a landslide to challenger Mark Whitney after the controversy surrounding Rydalch's firing of a city police officer for giving his son a ticket.
In West Valley City, Provo, and West Jordan voters will be electing new mayors because the incumbents are retiring.
School bonds
There were also several school district bonds on the ballot this year.
Though the measure would not require a tax increase, Granite School District asked for $256 million to:
- Air-condition 51 schools
- Rebuild Granger High and Olympus High plus two elementary schools
- Build a new grade school in West Valley City and new elementary and junior high schools on the district's northwest side
Though the votes are very close, with over half of the precincts reporting, it looks like the bond will pass.
Voters in the Davis School District have approved a $250 million bond. Without a tax hike, the bond will pay for:
- A new junior high in west Kaysville
- 3 new elementary schools
- A school for medically fragile students
- Rebuilding Wasatch Elementary
- Finishing 18 classrooms at South Weber Elementary
- Adding 12 classrooms at Millcreek Junior High, 10 at Woods Cross High, and six more at Layton High School
There are many more races and bonds that were voted on Tuesday. CLICK HERE for the latest results in your area.
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Story compiled with contributions from Richard Piatt, Shara Park and Mary Richards.
