Tax group opposes Orem arts, parks fee

OREM — The Utah Taxpayers Association has issued an official statement opposing a proposed arts and recreation tax in Orem, saying that even a small tax increase is a step in the wrong direction.

"We've been officially opposed for a long time," said Mike Jerman, vice president of the association. "But now there's an official statement on our Web site. People who know our organization are not going to be surprised (at this statement)."

The proposed citywide recreation, arts and park tax would allow sales tax revenues of 10 cents from every $100 — one tenth of 1 percent — to be diverted to qualifying cultural arts organizations and recreation groups.

Having gained City Council approval for a place on the Nov. 8 ballot, the issue is now up to Orem voters, who will decide at the polls if they want the tax, which recently has been renamed the CARE (Cultural Arts and Recreation Enrichment) tax.

The tax is projected to generate almost $1.6 million a year, based on the city's current sales-tax revenue numbers.

However, Jerman argues that siphoning off almost $2 million from the tax base will pull necessary funds away from more pressing issues such as education, transportation and public safety.

Yet proponents still think this is one small tax they can deal with.

"We're just really really stressing what a small tax this is," said Anne Swenson, a member of the mayor-appointed Cultural Arts Commission.

"It's just such a small amount of money that I don't think is going to make really any impact at all on the individual taxpayer, but yet have a huge impact to the arts organizations and the recreation (organizations)."

And along with a potential boost to cultural groups like Orem's SCERA, the Hale Center Theater and the Utah Valley Regional Ballet, recreation outlets could also get new soccer fields, more bike and walking paths and new baseball diamonds, said Doyle Buckwalter, chairman of the Orem Recreation Advisory Commission.

Although the money might not be split exactly in half, the city has the final say and could funnel the funds toward the most deserving projects and organizations. But there isn't a feeling of animosity between the groups hoping for dollars, he said.

"As soon as we have this eight-year (tax), an effort will be made to meet all the needs," Buckwalter said. "I think we're going to bring both of the (areas) up to a level that all residents of Orem will be extremely pleased with. It isn't a competition that some might suppose."

Supporters of the tax are campaigning for the proposal, not only through fliers and word of mouth, but yard signs and media involvement, hoping to prevent apathy at the polls.

"That's my greatest fear, that people will go in not knowing what this is and . . . reject it," said Richard Davis, head of a CARE committee dedicated to increasing awareness.

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