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PROVO — City officials are pushing a $69 million bond to pay to replace Provo's aging emergency response and law enforcement facilities.
Opponents say the timing of the bond is rushed and the proposed cost is excessive.
The bond, which will be on the ballot Nov. 6 for Provo residents, would create a new building for the city’s police department, fire department staff, emergency dispatch services, and employees who service other city facilities. It calls for a 165,864-square foot building to replace the current 80,907 square feet that currently house those facilities. A new fire station would also be added as a part of the plan.
The new building would be along 500 West, on the same block as the current building, according to Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. She said the city would look at other locations if the right opportunity arose.
Should the bond pass, the average Provo homeowner would pay an extra $10 per month in new taxes for the next 20 years, according to Kaufusi.
The push comes as the city’s fire and police departments continue to grow and the building is failing department needs. Both Provo Police Chief Rich Ferguson and Provo Fire Chief Jim Miguel made pitches in favor of the proposal by recording videos posted on the city’s social media pages.
City officials gave media members a tour of the police department building Friday, where the cracks, leaks and overcrowded offices were put on display.
While city officials are in favor of the bond, not all residents are on board with the proposal. In an argument against the proposal posted in a document on the city’s website, Provo resident Sarah Asay argued against the downtown location, suggested the proposed costs were too high, and said there was an "irresponsible rush" toward the bond. She also wrote that the city had other infrastructure needs to address, including a new water treatment plant.
A $4 million fire station upgrade was “needlessly wrapped into this bond,” she added, and residents would also “probably be asked to finish the next stages of school bonds for another high school, junior high and elementary school next year.”
“All of these costs and future obligations should be considered in this decision,” Asay wrote. She later added, “Let’s send our elected officials back to do the work we elected them to do. Vote no on the bond and ask them for an alternative plan that addresses aging public works problems and builds a less expensive city office building.”
Provo city councilman Gary Winterton responded to Asay to say the proposal wasn’t rushed. He said it’s been in discussions for at least seven years.
“The process has been ongoing and thoughtful,” he responded. “One primary reason to act now is that substantial money for maintenance is needed now. We could put that maintenance money into a new facility and save millions of dollars.”
Another reason the city has pushed for it is they say the cost continues to rise if they wait. Kaufusi said a similar proposal five years ago would have cost $45 million.
Ferguson added it's time for a new building.
"We pride ourselves on giving professional police services to our citizens," he told KSL TV. "We need a place for our officers to do their jobs."
Contributing: Sam Penrod, KSL TV
