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Alex Cabrero Reporting"I didn't really understand what it was about until I started talking to my neighbors. I mean, you're upset about it."
The Christmas bills are coming, but some Utahns are finding out another big bill will soon be in the mailboxes. It's going to cost thousands of dollars for some people and Salt Lake County says there's no way around it. We're talking about new fire lines in the Millcreek area, and residents have to pay the majority of the bill.
Most of the water lines in the area were installed in the 40's and 50's. We're told they're too old to be reliable. Also, they're only four-inch lines, so if there's a major fire the water flow might not be enough. The problem is, replacing these lines is expensive.
The beautiful views, the tall trees, the friendly people -- on the surface, Millcreek looks like the perfect neighborhood. But just below the surface, some say there's a growing problem.
Scott Baird: “These lines are 50-years old. They’re breaking, they’re exceeding their life span.”
Scott Baird is a project engineer for Salt Lake County Public Works, and boy does he have a project. The County wants to install miles of new eight and 12-inch pipe, and more hydrants in Millcreek.
Scott Baird, Salt Lake Co. Public Works: "The main purpose of the project is to provide 1500 gallons per minute at each hydrant."
That would be great fire protection for people who live in Millcreek. The boundaries of this project are from 27th south to 39th south and 7th east to 27th east, right where Corinne Miller lives.
Corinne Miller: “We’re not happy about it, but I don’t think there’s much you can do.”
It's not that she doesn't want new and improved lines, it's just a lot of money that residents are responsible for. The entire project is about 18-million dollars, of which Salt Lake County and city are paying 7-million. That leaves 11-million property owners have to spend.
The costs will be divided between those who live in Millcreek. 50-percent per parcel is a cost everyone gets and 50-percent per taxable value, a cost that depends on your house. It's about 17-hundred a house.
Keone Simon, Millcreek: "Just expecting people to come up with the 17-hundred dollars, I mean it's not like money grows on trees around here."
Scott Baird: “I think it’s going to save a lot of money to the residents in the area.”
That's because with this project, the city is taking over maintenance of the pipes. Right now if they break, the residents have to replace them.
The bill for the new project should start coming in mid-February with construction beginning soon after.
