Public vs. private tiff may go to new panel
In its final meeting Monday, the state's Tourism Task Force voted to support the creation of a group to study issues surrounding the private use of public facilities "for other reasons than what they were originally intended."
At issue are weddings, receptions, meetings and other activities at public buildings and grounds such as convention centers, recreation centers, golf courses and libraries that are funded by tax dollars but instead suck business away from private-sector establishments.
"I'm really bothered by the fact that I am paying taxes so that a golf course can be maintained," said Rep. Peggy Wallace, R-West Jordan. "I know that they have a really great 'green-belt factor' and that they're really good for the environment and everything else, but there's a lot of golfers out there in Utah, and I think they're the ones who can maintain it and keep it rolling."
Gary Nielsen, who owns four Gold's Gyms in Davis and Weber counties, testified that some local governments have built recreation centers and multipurpose health clubs that offer classes and other activities that compete directly with his business. But, he said, they don't pay real estate taxes, personal property taxes on equipment, sales taxes on equipment purchases. Many also were built on existing publicly owned property using general obligation bonds or sales tax revenue bonds.
"Statistically, 13 to 15 percent of the population use health clubs or recreation centers, so what we're doing is taxing people 100 percent of the population is paying for that use by the 13 to 15 percent," Nielsen said. "The problem is we have to buy business licenses, we pay the taxes into the entity, (then) they turn around and use those taxes to compete directly against us. It's just not fair.
"None of this, we believe, is the core business of the government. . . . Health clubs are not a core essential business of government."
Ernie Schneiter, owner of Schneiter's Riverside Golf Course, said there are 40 public courses owned by the city or county in Salt Lake County alone.
"I just think that private will do a better job more efficiently and save a lot of money. . . . They shouldn't be in the business, that's all," Schneiter said.
Melva Sine, president and chief executive officer of the Utah Restaurant Association, said many Utah restaurants are paying taxes that ultimately are being used against them in the form of public buildings. She noted that the Utah Olympic Park, the Utah State Fairpark and the Museum of Utah Art and History are advertising for meetings, events, receptions and corporate get-togethers and that courthouses are a popular site for receptions.
Comments
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match 12:17 a.m.
- Teacher faces new sex charges 12:09 a.m.
- BYU professor to work on Hebrew Bible 12:08 a.m.
- Mormon Times national calendar 12:08 a.m.
- John Calvin's 500th birthday 12:08 a.m.
- Dinner Diva: Frugal grocery tips 12:08 a.m.
- FlyLady: Why is home messy? 12:08 a.m.
- Pageants inspire thousands 12:07 a.m.
- Mormon Times mile run on July 18 12:07 a.m.
- Fiddling prodigies team up to win 12:07 a.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz down Oklahoma City
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Animals removed from filthy home
- Tainted beef sold in Utah stores
- Sleepy Ridge offers much for many
- 2 Tooele police officers fired
- Let's bid 'Eli Stone' a fond farewell
- Baseball teams fear 'haunted' hotel
- LDS seminary principal arrested
142 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
88 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
Didn't Obama and Biden just admit to the fact that the stimilus programs were...
The last part of the article about Cowherd is classic!!! I normally like the...
This man was my teacher in high school. He is my friend, he was like a father...
I like millsap, but portland just burried themselves. They made themselves...
It's amazing how quickly society is willing to vaccinate it's children with...
The first income tax was introduced during the Civil War, that's only 70...
If he really did what the evidence seems to show, I don't think he should be...
Utah needs Portland too much. It's much harder than you think to find good...
stacy, have you ever eaten there ??
I had Brother Pratt at Viewmont High School my sophomore year... I was really...



You can be the first to comment on this story.