Council approves $9.1 million SIRQ contract for Fire Station 52; residents split on 40% city tax hike

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Contract

   Amended CMGC contract with SIRQ Construction for Fire Station 52

   Approved · 4-0-1

   SIRQ Construction was hired as construction manager/general contractor in October 2020 before a site or plans existed; with land secured and subcontractor bids in, the council set a guaranteed maximum price of $9,112,335, with value engineering that could save $150,000-$300,000. Total project cost is $11,590,311, higher than expected due to inflation and land cost, funded by 2019 bond proceeds and police and fire impact fees (about $2.5 million each). The station includes a shooting range on the west side; options to leave it unfinished ($692,784 savings) or omit it ($1,038,120) were rejected. Bunker said moving out of Cedar Hills' station will add about $300,000 a year in costs to that contract.

   • Contract$9.11 million to SIRQ Construction Guaranteed maximum price for construction of Fire Station 52 with shooting range. CMGC contract awarded October 2020; subcontractors bid. Paid from 2019 bond proceeds and police/fire impact fees
   • Budget$11.6 million Total Fire Station 52 project cost including land. Paid from 2019 bond, impact fees
   • Contractor: SIRQ Construction (CMGC selected October 2020)
   • GMP: $9,112,335
   • Total project: $11,590,311
   • Shooting range options: unfinished -$692,784; omitted -$1,038,120
   • Councilmember Ryan Hunter abstained because he works for SIRQ Construction
   • SIRQ also sponsored the city's firefighter challenge event that Hunter helped organize (Dec. 13, 2022 minutes)

   Moved by Councilmember Shelton, seconded by Councilmember Taylor. Vote: 4-0-1; Councilmember Hunter abstained

   Follow Fire Station 52 in the development tracker →

2. Item TNT · Taxes and fees

   Truth in Taxation hearing on proposed property tax increase

   Discussed

   City Administrator David Bunker said the city had not exceeded the certified rate since 2008; police demand rose 46.6% in five years, fire/rescue costs 69%, and road material costs 17.5% in a year and 44% since 2010. The proposed rate of 0.001554, up from 0.001094, would cost a median $474,000 home $9.99 a month ($119.92 a year), a 40% increase in city general fund property tax but about 4% of the total tax bill. He said the city recently received close to $10 million in grants, including Bureau of Reclamation money for irrigation meters, and absorbed a North Pointe garbage fee increase. 22 residents spoke. The vote was set for Aug. 30.

   • Proposed rate: 0.001554 (certified 0.001094)
   • Median home $474,000: +$9.99/month

What residents said

40% property tax increaseFixed-income seniorsMisleading tax mailerHigh-density apartmentsImpact fee transparencySpeeding on 1100 East, 100 East and near Fox HollowFiber bondPressurized irrigation costsBroken fire hydrant on 100 East

At the Truth in Taxation hearing, Ernie John, retired firefighters Stan Street and Don Rich, Steve Smith and Bruce Frandsen supported the increase for public safety and roads. Larry Gordon called the city's 4% mailer misleading, Cary Fife objected to high-density apartments and asked about developer incentives and speeding on 1100 East, Paul Johnston questioned impact fees, reserves and an $8.5 million fire station, Ken Sumsion opposed a $35 million fiber bond, Jackie Roberts cited speeding near Fox Hollow, Tim Holley said the city spends about $3,000 per resident versus $1,800 elsewhere, and George Brown, Mark Surreal, Nellie Hampton, Reed Shelley, Reese Abel and Rex Shelton opposed or questioned the 40% size, urging smaller yearly increases. Eileen Miller of the Utah Home Builders Association spoke on impact fee rules. John Butler asked for control over pressurized irrigation costs.