The Utah Taxpayers Association said Tuesday that it has not decided whether to fight the proposed property-tax hike. The group plans to meet with UTA officials during the next week and will then decide its position, said Mike Jerman, vice president of the association.

"Everyone realizes that more money is needed for transportation," he said. "The question is, is this the best way to address congestion?"

The next step for the county is to see if it's legal to float a bond to purchase land, trains and rail and then immediately turn the assets over to UTA. A legal opinion will be issued by a county attorney by Aug. 1, which will give the council enough time to craft ballot language.

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Salt Lake County funds for TRAX: What's next?

• With a 6-1 vote (2 abstaining), the Salt Lake County Council agreed Tuesday to put a $895-million bond proposal for TRAX expansion on the ballot.

• The decision is contingent upon a legal review. County attorneys said it may be illegal to float a bond for land, transit and rail, if the assets are turned back over to the Utah Transit Authority.

• If ruled legal, county voters can decide this November whether to raise their property taxes by $108 a year on a $200,000 home, to help build four new TRAX lines.

Contributing: Josh Loftin

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com, nwarburton@desnews.com

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