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"Sticker shock" best describes KSL's initial reaction to the $192 million dollar public safety bond Salt Lake City voters will be deciding on November 6. Yet, in our view, police and fire officials in the capital city make a compelling case for approving the measure.
They argue their "ability to serve is hampered by degraded and inadequate buildings."
Indeed, one has only to look at police headquarters to see what they mean. Cramped space, leaky ceilings and crumbling concrete exemplify the problem. Basic maintenance of the building is piecemeal at best at a cost that regularly exceeds available funds.
Beyond police headquarters, though, the hefty bond would go toward other facilities officials contend are needed to assure effective response in emergency situations. They include a separate Emergency Operations Center, the timely replacement of aging fire stations and a fire training center.
On the surface one could easily question the need for any one of these proposed facilities, thus reducing the size of the bond. But, shooting for the moon, as it were, and funding all of them at once, as officials explain, will dramatically save costs in the long run.
While the sticker shock is severe, the argument for approving Salt Lake City's Proposition 1 is indeed compelling. KSL believes a yes vote is in order.
