Month 2019 | Vol. 6 Iss. 08
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UNIFIED POLICE PAY RAISES APPROVED;
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Taylorsville property tax increases may be necessary next year By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
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Reaching a consensus on a $65 million budget is difficult at best, and there was a lot of drama,” said Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson in assessing her recent work on the Unified Police Board of Directors. “[The approved budget increase] was a good step forward, but we need to follow through next year with another increase.” All of this means Taylorsville homeowners should likely begin preparing now for what is appearing more and more to be an inevitable property tax increase a year from now. In truth, many observers are surprised Taylorsville officials could support a UPD budget increase this year without a corresponding tax increase. “Each 1% budget increase for the Unified Police Department amounts to roughly $500,000,” Overson said. “So, the increase our board approved will require more than 4 million new dollars.” After much haggling over the numbers, the UPD board approved additional funding in three different forms: • 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) • 4% market increase • 2.75% merit increase All sworn officers are expected to receive the cost of living and market adjustment pay hikes. However, many senior officers will not be eligible for the merit increases. “These pay increases are not inconsequential, and we are certainly pleased the board voted for them,” said Taylorsville UPD Precinct Chief Tracy Wyant. “But, honestly, it will still be a challenge to hire and retain quality new officers.” Wyant’s Taylorsville precinct has almost never been fully
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Taylorsville disbanded its stand-alone police department years ago, with elected officials still pleased by the service Unified Police provides. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
staffed in recent years. Despite available money and approvals for new officers, the agency has had a hard time hiring and retaining people because other departments are paying more. “We used to compete (for personnel) primarily against other law enforcement agencies here in the valley,” Wyant said. “But now, we have to compete against departments in other states that are actively trying to steal our officers. Ev-
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Playoff seedings
erett, Washington, for example, is offering $20,000 signing bonuses for officers to join them. Getting and keeping good officers is more competitive than I can ever remember.” “Next year, we will have to be serious about looking at a tax increase,” Overson said. “We need to remember, we have amazing officers who risk their lives for us every day. Tax increases are uncomfortable to discuss, but Continued Page 10
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