Highland facility bid over budget
City Council members unanimously approved the issuance of a $6 million bond Tuesday night to pay for a new police station and firehouse, but those plans might now have to give way to an alternative approach.
According to City Administrator Barry Edwards, the city's proposed firehouse, budgeted at $2.5 million, will actually cost $3.8 million to build, leaving only $2.2 million — not enough— for a police department.
"We're going back to the drawing board," said Highland Mayor Jay Franson.
Members of the City Council were instructed Tuesday to brainstorm about different options the city may have to find a solution to meet both of the public-safety departments' needs.
One solution is to cut back on the amenities of the firehouse. Edwards said the building is designed to have energy-efficient features that save on utilities, but cost more up front. Edwards said the city might decide to change the design of the building.
"The one thing is to look at the building and see if there's something we can cut out," Edwards said. "There may be some spaces or some things that aren't as expensive that we can cut back on."
Council member Kathryn Schramm suggested retrofitting the existing City Hall to accommodate the police department after the new city building is complete.
Highland's fire service is currently provided by the Lone Peak Special Service District, which serves Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills. Highland's police department now works out of Alpine's police offices. Edwards said growth in the area has catalyzed the need for a separate building for both departments.
Although the $6 million bond will be paid for mostly by building impact fees, Edwards said additional firefighters and police officers could be paid for by an increase on property tax.
The city will have a public hearing on increasing the property tax on Aug. 15 at City Hall.
E-mail: achoate@desnews.com
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