A statewide initiative effort to give Utahns the chance to vote on an independent redistricting commission could take a detour through the Utah Supreme Court due to its projected price tag.

Fair Boundaries Coalition members question the accuracy of the $1 million fiscal note — assigned by the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel — and could file a court appeal today.

"We’re surprised by the size of it," said North Salt Lake Councilwoman Lisa Watts Baskin, a coalition member and attorney who would present the case in court. "A challenge will more than likely happen."

After the official U.S. census every 10 years, Utah lawmakers redraw district boundaries for elections. Those who support an independent panel say lawmakers have abused that power by reshaping districts for partisan and personal gain.

The Fair Boundaries initiative aims to establish an 11-member advisory body that would sketch new borders and forward recommendations to the Republican-dominated Legislature for its final OK.

Earlier this year, Democratic-led Salt Lake County approved creation of an independent commission to redraw County Council districts and school-board seats in Utah’s most-populous county.

The grass-roots Fair Boundaries activists are keenly aware that legal proceedings cut into the time they have to collect the 94,000-plus statewide signatures required by April 15, 2010, if they hope to get their proposal on the ballot that fall.

Once filed, the high court has 30 days to respond.

"Typically, the court is willing to respond quickly," Watts Baskin said Monday, "knowing the rights of citizens to vote is at stake."

Michael Christensen, director of the legislative research office, defended the cost estimate.

"We staff that [redistricting] process every 10 years. We think it’s accurate," Christensen said, adding that every dollar is designated for hardware, software, salaries and travel.

More than half the total — $584,250 — would fund the commission’s support staff, including $101,250 for an administrative director and $66,750 for a dedicated attorney.

The legislative estimate also pegs $100,000 for contract legal services and $300,000 in hardware and software costs.

House Speaker David Clark, R-Santa Clara, has opposed any shift to an independent panel, arguing that the current process allows ample input and that lawmakers are better equipped to make those decisions.