From Deseret News archives:
Tax hike replaces bond on ballot
The Salt Lake County Council on Thursday voted to remove an $895 million property-tax bond initiative on the November ballot and replace it with a quarter-cent sales-tax increase. The Legislature on Tuesday authorized counties to allow voters to choose to increase their sales tax to pay for road improvements, mass-transit expansion and airports.
Although the council members unanimously approved the switch, they were concerned that one or more TRAX lines may not be funded. That's because under the bill passed by the Legislature, transit projects must now compete with roads in Salt Lake County for funding from the sales-tax initiative.
"Some of the things the county wanted to do with the original property tax may be in jeopardy," said Councilman Randy Horiuchi, referring to four TRAX extensions that would have been paid for under the property-tax proposal taken off the ballot Thursday.
If the sales-tax increase is approved by voters, a quarter of the revenue must go for preservation of future routes for state highways, according to the bill that authorized the increase. In Salt Lake County, that means the Mountain View Corridor a proposed 40-mile freeway connecting Salt Lake and Utah Counties would likely get the funding.
Voters will be able to see the final project list in the county's voter-information packet, which is mailed out before the election. The actual ballot language will not include the project list. Instead, voters will be given a general question asking for a quarter-cent sales-tax increase for transportation projects.
Several county mayors and Utah Transit Authority officials said Thursday that they are confident transit projects will rank high on the list.
Next week, Salt Lake County elected leaders plan to meet to approve the final process for prioritizing which projects receive funding. The week after that, on Oct. 5, county leaders expect to announce the final list.
"I would say that we're moving very quickly and effectively, but there are still a lot of hoops to jump through before we announce what the priorities will be," West Valley City Mayor Dennis Nordfelt said. "Then it will be a matter of communicating those priorities to the public, so they can make an informed choice."
Even so, several members of the County Council are worried that the process could be tainted in favor of local politicians' favorite projects.
"Transit, light rail and commuter rail have to be way at the top of the list for me to vote 'yes' in November," Councilman Joe Hatch said.
Comments
- Oil falls below $79 7:53 a.m.
- Stocks open lower 7:53 a.m.
- Iranian Consulate fatally shot 7:49 a.m.
- AP poll: Family dinner survives 7:47 a.m.
- Palestinian election may be called off 7:45 a.m.
- Balloon boy parents to plead guilty 7:44 a.m.
- Intel to pay AMD $1.25B settlement 7:42 a.m.
- Jobless claims fall to 502K 7:40 a.m.
- Obama to want revised war options 7:39 a.m.
- Will state consider gay rights law? 7:11 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- Crash kills Utah County man
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Will state consider gay rights law?
- Long days for BYU interns
- House passes health care bill
288 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
250 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
101 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
98
This week, I'm compiling my annual list of restaurants serving...
re Bob | 8:03 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009 "As a property owner I should have the...
the vocal, ignorant in this case, minority who say Sloan is part of the...
I like RSL and what it brings to Utah, I love the World Cup and is one of...
you are right BYU was not in the same class this year as TCU, but you were...
He has been so great and fun to watch in the NCAA Tournament. I really think...
I hope both teams play hard. I know SJ has hit the weights in the offseason...
Ya, it's tough when an athletic team like Utah wins the conference last year,...
Boozer's mouth and previous statements are an issue mostly with the fans and...
We all know that there are no U fans, just BYU haters. Wouldn't is be nice...
A successful conclusion to a war means the enemy is no longer capable of...


You can be the first to comment on this story.