Did Salt Lake County "promise" or hold out as a "possibility" the creation of a booking center in Salt Lake City as part of building a new metro jail?
It depends on whom you ask. Salt Lake City officials recall a commitment for the booking center. Salt Lake County leaders say they only pledged to look at the idea.Now that the county's settled on building the $100 million jail in Millcreek, county officials say odds there will be a booking center in downtown Salt Lake City are fading fast.
"I'm not sure we can put a booking facility in every city," said Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Ken-nard.
Kennard jolted Salt Lake Mayor Deedee Corradini at a recent Council of Governments meeting when he hedged on the booking center for criminals picked up by the city.
Corradini's recollection that the county committed to provide a booking center was backed by other mayors.
"It was understood there would be a booking facility in downtown Salt Lake City," said Alta Mayor Bill Levitt.
But Kennard said, "I'm not sure it was ever a promise."
Commission Chairman Brent Overson also said the county never promised the city a booking center.
"The only thing we've said is that in the process of planning for a new jail we would consider that," Overson said.
"It all depends on the cost."
The Council of Governments, comprised of elected officials in the Salt Lake Valley, voted unanimously to ask the county to set up a committee with representatives from Salt Lake City and South Salt Lake to address plans for the old as well as the new jail.
Kennard said only one part of the existing jail - the mental health unit - could possibly be retrofitted to serve as a booking center. But it would cost as much as $3 million to renovate the section and another $1 million annually to run it.
"The county can't afford to treat them any differently than other municipalities," Kennard said. "Yes, during initial talks we were supportive if the jail was put so far out that (transportation costs and time) were prohibitive, but I don't think it will be time-consuming now."
But Corradini said that Salt Lake City, which picks up 40 percent of the people who end up in the metro jail, desperately needs a close booking center.
"That's what we expect and deserve," Corradini said.
It also would be a waste of taxpayers' money to not use the mental-health unit, the mayor said. The 60-bed unit opened in 1988.
Corradini also reminded the county that it is responsible for demolition of the jail, sheriff's tower and district court buildings once they are vacated.