City officials expect an increase of almost 18 percent in revenues during fiscal year 1992-93, allowing the city budget to grow accordingly.
The issue comes up at a public hearing Tuesday, June 16, at 7 p.m., when the City Council discusses a proposed budget. A budget must be adopted before the new fiscal year begins July 1.The item of greatest interest probably is a proposed contract with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's office that would effectively turn the city's seven full-time officers into deputy sheriffs while simultaneously doing away with the Draper Police Department.
The move is a proposed resolution of sorts to a crisis precipitated by the rehiring of the city's former police chief, Hans de Haas, who resigned in January but got his job back after threatening to sue the city. His reappointment was brief, however; councilmen rescinded the rehiring after they were forced to go public with their vote.
Under the proposal the city would pay $277,036 annually to the sheriff's office, plus an additional $21,000 for a police secretary, bringing the total cost of law enforcement to $298,452, compared with the $359,275 it would cost the city to run its own department next year. The deal would eliminate the post de Haas held.
Draper's revenue next year is expected to be $1.63 million, up from $1.39 million this year, the greatest increase coming from sales-tax revenues. No fee or tax increases are proposed.
The budget proposal pays homage to a development boom by allocating an additional $45,000 for engineering, consulting and mapping for the city's Planning and Zoning Department. Some $60,000 would pay to hire a full-time building inspector, a building-inspector secretary and various office supplies. Almost $10,000 would go for more staffing in the city's Economic Development office.
City Manager David C. Campbell said the council will probably take a hard look at city legal fees. Hollis Hunt, the city's part-time attorney, will make between $40,000 and $50,000 this year through contracted services.
"I think they will consider the possibility of bringing somebody in on a full-time basis," paying a competitive salary in the $40,000 range, said Campbell.
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(Chart)
Draper City budget
1991-92 1992-93
General Fund 1.39 million 1.63 million
(in thousands)
Where it comes from:
Property tax $194 $205
Sales $450 $575
Franchise tax $275 $288
Licenses and permits $103 $200
Where it goes:
Police $334 $298
Street projects $350 $340
Fire $78 $104
Executive $100 $201
Parks $12 $20
Tax/fee increases:
None anticipated