head of their local law enforcement agency and to the local political leadership. He pointed out
the practical issues that would need to be addressed, such as how to consolidate 13 agencies of
police officers with differences in salary structure, rank, assignments, seniority, and promotional
opportunities. He felt it would create enormous problems that would never be resolved
satisfactorily. He said things are working well now because there is cooperation among the
police agencies. He noted the shared services in the Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force and the
Gang Task Force. He said valley chiefs and the sheriff meet regularly to discuss mutual law
enforcement problems. He urged the committee to allow the agencies to remain as separate
entities.
Rep. Buckner said it was his intention that consolidation of public safety services be
examined as a statewide issue. He emphasized that his proposal was to generate a task force to
study the issue and was not intended to be a proposal for wholesale change in government. He
said that public safety is the highest priority for government, and felt that the public safety needs
of communities are not being met efficiently. He said numerous jurisdictional lines create
problems for law enforcement and fire department personnel as well as for prosecutors and the
court system. Rep. Buckner referred to a recent survey done by Dan Jones for Salt Lake County
which indicated that 80 percent of the people polled felt that public safety departments in Salt
Lake County should be merged. He stated that traditionally around the country legislatures have
involved themselves in issues where public safety is a concern. Many states have legislation that
enables local municipalities to combine resources. He said a task force examining the issues
would be able to identify public safety needs throughout the state and further the communication
between departments.
Sheriff Aaron Kennard, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, said he was an advocate of a
metropolitan police department. He agreed that Public Safety Departments are working together
on many issues. Cooperation is taking place, but is not going far enough. More investigative
issues need to be shared. He felt very strongly that there needs to be a valley wide homicide
squad. Smaller cities may not have the experience that Salt Lake City has in regard to that type
of investigation. He spoke in favor of a task force and said there are many options it could
consider by way of merging services in Salt Lake County or other places in Utah. If a task force
recommends consolidation of public safety departments, the Legislature would need to provide
enabling legislation.
Salt Lake County Commissioner Mary Callaghan said she agreed with the Dan Jones
poll, and that it spoke for the citizens and their recognition of the benefits of consolidating
services. The public is tired of the overlap, hierarchy, and duplication. Consolidation of
government has been turned down, but consolidation of services has not.
Salt Lake County Commissioner Brent Overson said he was in agreement with
Commissioner Callaghan. He said the poll indicated that citizens are not interested in
dismantling city government in favor of consolidation, but the citizenry must be allowed to vote
on the issue of combined public safety services. The establishment of consolidated districts for
public safety services could come under the direction of councils that would have responsibility
for budget and service levels without electing new officials.
Sandy City Police Chief Sam Dawson said working for a city is different than working
for the county. Cities exist to provide police and fire protection, and the most important thing is
local control. He said he works for the people of Sandy City and is accountable to them. He felt
the most important thing to consider is maintaining local control by the citizens that are served.
Chief Dawson said his department has an excellent working relationship with the South Valley
Police Chiefs. He said he was concerned with the thousands of dollars that would go into a task
force.
Don Berry, Salt Lake County Fire Chief, spoke in favor of creating a task force to study
the issues, and urged the committee to accept the proposal. He said fire departments in Salt Lake
County are doing a good job, but could do a better job if they were sharing services. Some areas
that could be improved include fire station location, more standardized equipment and
operations, better communications, purchasing power, and training. Duplication of
administration in fire department services would be eliminated. A large fire department could
provide specialized functions that smaller fire departments cannot because of budget and staffing
restrictions. An important aspect would be a unified command and control system which is
currently not possible with twelve different fire departments.
Lee Daugherty, Fire Chief Murray City, agreed with Chief Berry that there would be
some benefit with joint purchasing power and a combined dispatch. However, he felt the
initiative needs to start at the local level and should not require a committee at the state level to
work out details. He distributed a chart providing statistical information on various county fire
departments. He suggested the committee needed to ask the question, "Is bigger necessarily
better?"
Mayor Lynn Pett of Murray said that he has served in government for 38 years and the
one thing he has learned is that bigger is not necessarily better. He felt that the most important
government is local government, or that which is closest to home. He felt that the citizens of
Murray are satisfied with the safety services currently provided, and that they do not want a
metropolitan police department. The Murray City Fire department is highly qualified and highly
trained.
Mayor LaVelle Prince, Taylorsville, reported that the city of Taylorsville is the largest
city in the state that contracts for services. Ninety-five percent of their functions are through
contract providers, and the arrangement is working well because of strict performance
measurements within the contracts. He said they are able to have superior law enforcement
services for half the cost through contract services. He suggested municipalities look at
opportunities to team together through interlocal agreements or other mechanisms for purchasing
and training. He felt that the citizens of the state of Utah and Salt Lake County would be better
served through combined services even though he favors local control. Most citizens are not
aware of the budgets or dollar amount involved and the efficiencies or inefficiencies that exist
within those individual departments. He urged the committee to establish a task force to study
the issues and get input from all agencies concerned. He was not in favor of a metropolitan
department or total consolidation, but recommended they look at the internal efficiencies that
would benefit each of the municipalities and the county.
Gary Lancaster, Assistant Director, Valley Emergency Communication Center, explained
the services of his agency. He said it came together as a result of a feasibility study directed by
the local council of governments. He said that from his perspective the V.E.C.C. is a successful
organization as a result of consolidating services. The high level of local control included in the
operation of the V.E.C.C. contributes to its success.
Craig L. Dearden, Commissioner of Dept. of Public Safety, said he was a proponent of
metropolitan public safety services and felt there were advantages, particularly in the area of
personnel. He commented there would be drawbacks, and control would be the biggest issue to
overcome. He did not anticipate there would be much impact on the state. He felt that the study
would be valuable, because there could be a more efficient way to do the things that are currently
being done.
Mr. Ron Fullmer, an advocate for consolidation, said the issue of consolidating law
enforcement and fire safety has never been looked at separately, but was considered as part of
combining Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County into a metropolitan government. He noted that
it is proper for the Legislature to appoint a task force to look at this issue. He pointed out that
population growth and the coming Olympics are paramount considerations in this issue.
Sen. Suazo requested the committee be provided with a summary of the Dan Jones poll
which was referred to in the discussion.
Following a brief discussion by the committee, Sen. Waddoups advised Rep. Buckner
that if he chooses to proceed with drafting a bill requesting a task force to study the issue of
consolidation of public safety services, the bill could be heard by the committee at a future
meeting.
MOTION: Rep. Killpack moved to adjourn at 4:10 p.m.