There has been much written about the proposed Kaysville Police Station, but I would suggest that voters consider the following before voting:
1. The proposed police station is 20,000 square feet -- four times larger than the current police station and it will be larger than the present City Hall. Following are areas in the proposed police station that is not required:
A. There is a huge part of the building dedicated to an emergency operation center. This is not necessary because on Sept. 22 an article was printed in the Standard-Examiner stating that Davis County has asked the LDS church for a listing of all buildings in Davis County so the county can come up with comprehensive emergency evacuation plan for the whole county. We have over 22 LDS churches in Kaysville as well as Davis High School, and several grade schools and junior high schools which could also be used. The LDS church has a comprehensive emergency plan in all the wards and when an emergency occurs, that kicks into action. We were evacuated when the tanker crashed on Highway 89 and it worked wonderfully. The fairly new Fire Station has an Emergency Operations Center now. The first responders are the fire department. THIS ROOM IS NOT NECESSARY!
B. There is a fitness center. Right now there is a fitness center in the Recreation Building 50 feet to the east of the current station.
The officers should walk over to that! THIS IS NOT NECESSARY!
C. There is a new Dispatch Center. Currently at 5 P.M. Kaysville Phones are transferred to Davis County Dispatch Center and they handle the calls until the next morning. We are paying Davis County $78,000.00 a year. We could not man our own Dispatch Center 24/7 for $78,000.00 it would be much higher. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED!
D.There are approximately 50 work stations. We have 4 resource officers in local schools where they are provided offices already. We only have 5 or 6 officers on duty at any one time now and they should be out patroling, not sitting at a desk. WE DO NOT NEED THIS MANY WORK STATIONS NOW OR IN THE FORESEABLE FUTURE!
2. There was NO input to the proposed police station so that citizens could express concerns about the size of this huge building. We were not given a chance to present other options, We have never been allowed to offer any other solution to the need (and I am not sure there is a need right now). We have never been given any facts about how much crime we had in the past and what is happening now and what is the projection. All we have been told that we are going "build out" in the next 20 years. House sales and construction have literally stopped right now. When is it ever going to increase. We need good hard facts from the city council rather than a crystal ball projection. There are vacant houses throughout the city.
3. The language in the proposition is "this is only an estimate and is not a limit on the amount of taxes!" This is a blank check. I know Councilman Taylor said the reason the language is in the proposal is because of state law; however, IT IS IN THE PROPOSITION , NO MATTER THE REASON, IT IS A BLANK CHECK AN THE CITY COULD INCREASE YOUR TAXES AS HIGH AS THEY WANT!
4.Crime rate is low in Kaysville, this is why we live here. In 2009, the crime rate shown on the Utah Preliminary Crime Report was 436. This is not the 2500 plus rate I was quoted by one of the policemen as I was going on the tour in the police station. Layton has a crime rate of 2,053 for 2009. We are fortunate! The City Council should present SOLID facts and figures as to why a new police station is required, it should not be a "wish" we had a new police station.
5. I respect the police department of Kaysville and I appreciate what they do for us. When my husband passed away, Police Officer Miya was the one who came with the ambulance. He was so kind and understanding when he talked to me, no amount of money or lavish building could have replaced his professionalism and compationate attitude he showed to me and my family. I am not against the police department, they do a fine job, but we do not have to build this huge "palace" to show our respect and appreciate to these fine people.
6. The bottom line is we are in the worst recession in 70 years. Social Security will not increase in 2011. Utah Bankruptcies are up 27% this year, Utah Foreclosures are the highest on record. Davis County Property Tax already increased in the last year. There is no immediate need for this bond.Council woman Ally Isom stated in the Kaysville City Council meeting held June 9: "eventually a bond ends but a property tax increase IS NEVER RECINDED. This is someone who is currently sitting on the city council. They might say the bond is for only 21 years, but once the tax is in place, it becomes permanant
The bottom line is vote "NO" on Nov. 2. Then let us and the city council sit down and reason together and come up with a more rational, affordable plan!
Brough lives in Kaysville.
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