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MIDVALE — In an effort to avoid raising taxes, Midvale is looking at the possibility of contracting some of its services, including police and fire.
If we don't find a way (to solve the problem), we're going to have a tax increase every year, forever.
–Mayor JoAnn Seghini
#seghini_quote
"We have been directed by the City Council to look at a variety of ways to trim our budget. One of the ways is to contract services," said Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini.
For two of the past three years, Midvale has been forced to raise taxes. But Seghini said continuously raising property taxes is not going to get them out of their financial problems.
- Copperton
- Granite
- Herriman
- Holladay
- Kearns
- Magna
- Millcreek
- Riverton
- Sandy Hiils
- Taylorsville
- White City
- Willow Canyon
- Willow Creek
"If we don't find a way (to solve the problem), we're going to have a tax increase every year, forever," Seghini said.
One option being explored is contracting services, such as police, fire, parks and recreation and some public works projects.
Although Seghini confirms there have been some talks with "a variety of agencies," nothing has been brought before the City Council yet and there is no guarantee that the city will contract out any services at all. She said the city is only at a "fact finding point" in the process.
One prevalent rumor within the law enforcement community is that the Midvale Police Department might contract with the Unified Police Department.
Both Unified and Midvale police administrators referred calls on the subject to Midvale city government.
Seghini said the bottom line for her office is to save jobs and still provide the same level of service that Midvale residents have come to expect. But, she said the budget is at a point that something will have to be done this year, whether it's another tax increase, contracting of services, or a "multifaceted approach."
E-mail:preavy@ksl.com
