Public Safety, Budget Concerns, and Community Questions
Dear Neighbors,
It occurs to me that some in our community may occasionally wonder: How is my City Council representative interpreting the presentations, discussions, and challenges before us?
With that in mind—and while managing expectations that I won’t be able to provide updates like this regularly—I’d like to share a few reflections on several recent matters before the Council.
I’ll highlight just a few items here. For a full review of the February 17 meeting (or any public Council meeting), please refer to the archived Meeting Minutes at ch.utah.gov and/or watch on YouTube.
Proposed Firearms Training Facility
I encourage you to watch the full presentation available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sMX-0iPVIw
In 2024, Councilman Holton, Mayor Weichers, and Chief Russo applied for $4.7 million for a “Police Training Shooting Range” to be located at the CWH Public Works Complex.
More recently, a $2.1 million Congressional award funded through the U.S. Department of Justice COPS program was secured for what is now being called the “Wasatch Front Regional Public Safety Firearms Training Facility” to be located adjacent to City Hall.
Again, I urge you to listen to the entire presentation.
At this point, I have requested a comprehensive cost analysis that includes procurement, installation, long and short-term air, water, soil environmental impacts, noise nuisance, neighborhood safety, and additional personnel study, and operating and maintenance projections through 2040—including both expenses and potential revenue.
For a medium-sized city, we currently have:
· 9-year old police complex adjoining our gorgeous city hall
· New public works complex
· 11-acre town center under planning/soon development
· Two new parks. One opening in 2026 and the other in 2028/29
· 15-acre Rockworth Development (north gravel pit)
· Old Mill Historic Site under one-year public scrutiny before determining demolition or preservation
· Emanant residential development in acreage surrounding Old Mill
· Emanant 150-acre south gravel pit re-development.
Might a regional training facility be best placed in a larger city?
Budget Sustainability
Since incorporation of our city in 2005, the only property tax increase enacted was 14% in 2017. Since 2017, we have experienced approximately 29% inflation with no tax increase. We have not "inflation-proofed" our budget.
Despite my recommendation at the January, 2026 Council Retreat to have each CWH department submit 3-5% efficiency recommendations, my council colleagues did not voice support for this measure.
Still much work ahead between now and the 2026-27 budget finalization in June.
Mayor Bennion suggested we convene a Citizen Budget Committee which was welcomed by the entire Council. Nine residents were selected as committee members and alternates after the city announced a brief application period earlier this month. They will study the budget over the next several weeks and make recommendations to the Council.
Given current realities, I believe we must carefully evaluate the pace of new building acquisitions and capital projects for a medium-sized city with limited commercial revenue streams.
How do we sustainably fund new facilities while preserving essential services and fiscal stability?
Waste & Recycling and Traffic Safety Reflections
The Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District (WFWRD) also presented at the meeting. The executive director shared fascinating information about new systems designed to reduce recycling contamination, including the use of cameras on recycling trucks to monitor materials as they are dumped.
That presentation stayed with me—particularly because, during the same meeting, Chief Russo shared a photo of a recent serious crash at the intersection of Highland Drive and Creek Road. My husband and I happened to arrive at that intersection within minutes of the crash. The front half of one vehicle was crushed. It was jaw-dropping. I found myself wondering whether the driver survived.
If we can film and study trash (recyclables) couldn't/shouldn't we be filming dangerous intersections?
For years, I’ve received calls from concerned residents who have witnessed motorists running red lights at Highland & Creek. Traffic speeds northbound and southbound on Highland are high, and some drivers accelerate going north, south, east or west accelerate to beat the light.
This raises several questions for me:
• Should we be studying not just crashes, but near misses?
• How many pedestrian and cyclist incidents go unreported?
• What risks do repeated crash responses create for our police officers and emergency personnel?
• What financial burden do these preventable tragedies place on our city?
• Could we shift more resources toward prevention rather than response?
If we have the capability to monitor recycling contamination through camera systems, should we also be exploring ways to better analyze high-risk intersections and dangerous driving patterns?
I recently read There Are No Accidents by Jessie Singer, which examines how preventable many so-called “accidents” truly are. It has influenced how I think about public safety and prevention.
These are my thoughts—just a few among many. They are my own. If they resonate with you, or if you disagree, I genuinely welcome your perspective. Written responses and voice messages are appreciated. You might even catch me for an interactive exchange.
What more can—or should—we be doing to prevent the next serious injury or fatality?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Ellen Birrell