The already difficult task of crafting Salt Lake County's 1996 budget became more difficult when Taylorsville-Bennion residents voted to incorporate.
County commissioners say they are trying to prepare a budget not knowing whether the newly formed city will contract for any services from the county.They have two strategies. One counts on revenue from the new city, while the other outlines cuts necessary to deal with losses if it doesn't.
"We think that's the fiscally responsible thing to do," said Mary Callaghan, the commission's newest member. The commission is telling all county divisions to prepare for cuts should Taylorsville-Bennion decide to either contract with another city for services or provide them itself.
At least one county official isn't happy with the proposed budget plans. Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard wants more money for patrol and jail officers. He asked for a 7 percent increase in his patrol budget.
The commission has tentatively agreed to give him a 3 percent increase.
Kennard said the proposed $1.2 million cut that may come if Taylorsville-Bennion doesn't use the sheriff's services will mean laying off about 35 deputies.
He said the proposed 3 percent increase will only allow him to maintain at current numbers, and "that's unacceptable."
Kennard said county residents wait too long for deputies on non-emergency calls, and the county is usually backlogged an average of eight to 10 calls.
"Nothing else matters in this valley if you're not safe in your home and your community," Kennard said Wednesday afternoon. While national crime statistics slowly decrease, he said, Salt Lake County statistics are up. Rape is up 27 percent, armed robbery is up 15 percent and assaults are up 25 percent, he said.
County residents seem to agree with Kennard's opinion that crime should be a top priority of government. In a recent Deseret News/KSL poll that surveyed 612 registered Salt Lake County voters, 94 percent said law enforcement should be either a high or very high priority.
County residents also want officials to pay attention to roads and human services, but law enforcement gained the most support in the "very high" ranking. The poll was conducted by Dan Jones and Associates in late September.
Currently, Salt Lake County's officer to resident ratio is 1.1 officers per 1,000 residents. Kennard's proposed increase of 7 percent would allow hiring 10 more officers to increase that ratio to 1.3 officers per 1,000 residents. The national average is 2.2 officers per 1,000 people.
Callaghan said crime is the No. 1 issue of commissioners, but they can't spend money they don't have.
"The sheriff is not being singled out," Callaghan said, adding that all county agencies are looking at cuts if Taylorsville-Bennion doesn't contract with the county for services.
Kennard's request is just one of many, Callaghan said, and "any division can come in and ask for anything they want." The commission will hold public hearings on a budget proposal Dec. 6.
Commissioners Randy Horiuchi and Brent Overson were unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon.