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Show Hinckley Journal of Politics 2005 partner cities that contract for Sheriff's services. Other cities within Salt Lake County would also be welcome. Each city and the unincorporated county would have local police patrols, but they would share the costly, highly technical services like homicide, gang units, etc. Meanwhile the Sheriff's Office would continue to provide those services that are mandated to be provided under state law and are already county wide including the jail (Adult Detention Center), court services, etc. The expected result would be the expansion of services available to cities. The role model for the Unified Police Authority is the Unified Fire Authority. The UFA was created in 2004 to maintain fire services in a major portion of Salt Lake County under the control of one organization. The UFA consists of unincorporated Salt Lake County, Taylorsville, Holladay, Draper, Herriman, Riverton, Alta and Cottonwood Heights. The UFA brings centralized control of fire protection for the benefit of those citizens within its service area. In the past the municipalities contracted with the former Salt Lake County Fire Department for fire protection and paramedic service. Under the UFA model, the unincorporated county and the cities are represented on the Board and each entity is fully invested in the future of the fire service. Transportation The Legislature made public transportation a priority in the 2005 Legislative Session. Tens of millions of dollars are earmarked for improving our public transportation system in Utah. Since 90% of the state's population lives along the 90-mile long Wasatch Front corridor (Weber County south through Utah County), every resident in Salt Lake County is likely interested in just what will be done to improve this multi-modal system. The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) is one of the state's metropolitan planning organizations (MPO). These organizations were created in response to a federal requirement that states set up transportation growth plans in order to get federal funding. The WFRC projects that under current funding mechanisms, average commute times will dramatically increase everywhere along the Wasatch Front. Even in the west, where the mantra has been "one horse (car), one rider," gradually the west is beginning to accept the urban fact of mass transportation. 1-15 has been expanded, the initial light rail (TRAX) line is proving to be wildly popular, commuter rail is expected to be in place sometime in 2007 and our primary state highway system is due for a makeover. Light rail ridership has greatly exceeded expectations. Light rail is primarily used as a commuter tool for those commuting to work into Salt Lake City or those coming to Salt Lake City for sporting events, theater, etc. In the future light rail spurs should serve the south and west and the airport. By the end of last year, more than 42 million passenger trips had been taken and more than 10 million service miles logged on TRAX. Commuter rail will one day stretch from Brigham City to Payson, roughly the 1-15 corridor. The first scheduled segment, from Weber County to Salt Lake, should be completed by late 2007. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) may also come to Salt Lake County. It is a new phenomenon to many U.S. cities, but is used globally. BRT mainly consists of express bus routes; there are two types: The routes can run either in their own dedicated lanes or they can flow with other vehicle traffic. BRT offers convenience and low cost plus the flexibility of quick, easy route adjustments. The WFRC Transportation 2040 Long Range Plan identifies dozens of potential BRT Service Areas. UTA is conducting three transit studies that include BRT service. Land Use Salt Lake County continues to grow; the majority of this growth, however, is not coordinated countywide. Most of the population growth is in the southern portion of the county, in communities like Herriman, Bluffdale, Riverton, South Jordan, West Jordan and Draper. Farm after farm is converted into subdivisions or big retail developments. Driving down State Street, or Redwood Road, or 700 East it is hard to differentiate between one city to the next. Many cities have altogether lost their community identities. They have lost or have no town centers. In South Jordan, Kennecott Land is undertaking the largest development ever seen on the Wasatch Front. Residents in these homes will need, and deserve, both private and public services. Schools, transportation, police and fire must plan for the day when the new area is fully developed. Salt Lake County is working with Envision Utah and the WFRC to plan for future growth through Wasatch Choices 2040. Unlike other planning efforts, this effort looks at many facets of planning. It includes land use, transportation and recreation. Salt Lake County government will also work with all the cities in the county to coordinate growth, rather than each city planning for its future in a vacuum. Parks & Recreation The Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Division has completed a Draft Master Plan. When finally adopted, it will succeed the existing Parks Master Plan adopted in May 1994. The new plan acknowledges that "during the 10 year period since that plan was published much has changed in Salt Lake County to influence the political, geopolitical and recreational conditions in the County." It outlines how the county will work with local communities to address recreation and park needs throughout the entire county. This document has been prepared with a great deal of public input and will now be taken into the county's five recreation planning areas for public meetings to comment on the plan. 65 |