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House passes bill allowing county sheriffs to contract with cities for policing
Summary
The House approved Senate Bill 253 to let sheriffs in first‑class counties enter interlocal agreements with cities to provide law enforcement services; supporters framed it as an option for municipalities and noted an intent to repeal the statute if local agreements are reached.
The Utah House of Representatives on third reading approved Senate Bill 253, authorizing sheriffs in counties of the first class to enter interlocal agreements with municipalities to provide all or a portion of law‑enforcement services.
Representative Wimmer, the House sponsor, told colleagues the measure—referred on the floor as the "UPD bill, a unified police department bill"—would allow a county sheriff to contract with cities that currently receive sheriff services ("Holladay, Herriman, Bluffdale and Riverton," he said) and with other municipalities that indicate interest, including Cottonwood Heights and Taylorsville. He said the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the mayors of the named cities support the bill and that the sheriff's association does not oppose it.
Representative Vazkuksi/Vazkewski emphasized the bill includes delayed implementation language and described a "gentleman's agreement" that the Legislature would return next session to repeal the statute if an interlocal agreement is reached between the county and affected cities.
The House voted to pass Senate Bill 253 and referred it back to the Senate for further action. The clerk reported the chamber's tally as 55 yes votes and 15 no votes.
The bill does not mandate consolidation; it creates a statutory option for counties of the first class to enter formal interlocal arrangements to provide law enforcement to municipalities that choose that approach. Supporters framed the measure as expanding local options while retaining the ability to resolve matters through interlocal agreements outside statute if parties reach private arrangements.
