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PLEASANT GROVE — It is by far the most divisive issue this community has faced in recent memory: whether or not to bond for a new fire station and police station here in Pleasant Grove.
Three years ago, voters rejected a proposal to bond for new public safety facilities. Two years ago, the city tried again, but it too was narrowly defeated after a very heated debate in the community, sending the city back to the drawing board.
Now, another proposal is going before voters.
"We've got the construction costs down to $11 million and we've got the bond amount down to $9.5 million, which is half of what we started with,” said Pleasant Grove Mayor Michael Daniels.
When Mayor Daniels was elected two years ago, he brought citizens for and against the bond together to find a solution to provide adequate facilities at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer.
The reduced cost was found, in part, after the city hired a new architect for the design.
Few in the city have questioned the need. The fire station is old and too small for the city's population. Last year at the police station, the sewer backed up in the crowded space used to store evidence in criminal cases.
The proposal would allow for two new buildings.
"Fire and EMS in one and police, dispatch and courts in the other,” Daniels said.
Around town, a few signs encourage people to approve the bond, which will cost the average homeowner $60 dollars a year in new taxes for twenty years.
The mayor is optimistic this time the fire and police departments will finally get what they need.
"I think the fears about the costs are mostly subsided and I am expecting it to pass,” Daniels said. “Personally, I am hoping for 70-80 percent of the people to vote in favor of it, but we will see how it goes.”
Contributing: Xoel Cardenas
