From Deseret News archives:
Davis may raise car fees for road fund
The money would be used to purchase land for future roads in the county. The Utah Legislature enacted a law in 2005 that allows counties to implement up to a $10 fee for vehicle registrations to generate revenue for preserving road corridors.
"When you look at it, this was custom-made for counties like Davis County and Weber County," said State Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse.
About 50 cents from every dollar of the state's gasoline tax leaves Davis and Weber counties for other parts of the state, he said.
Registration fees for corridor preservation stay in the county that collects them, Killpack said. So far, Utah, Wasatch, Summit and Salt Lake counties have established the fee.
In 2006, when the law allowing the registration fee went into effect, $10 million in matching funds was available to counties that enacted the ordinance.
Davis County commissioners nixed the fee in 2006, despite support from 10 of the county's 15 city councils. Commissioners said they required unanimous support from all 15 cities.
This year, the Legislature set aside $30 million in matching funds for corridor preservation for state roads, Killpack said.
If enacted today, the Davis County ordinance implementing the fee would bring in about $2 million a year starting July 1, plus $2 million in matching funds.
Extending Legacy Parkway along the rapidly growing west side of Davis County would cost about $100 million just to buy the land, said Wilf Sommerkorn, Davis County's director of community and economic development. Corridor preservation for other county road projects would cost about $300 million in today's dollars.
But those costs will only become more expensive over time. As more homes are built, the value of land rises, and it becomes more costly to purchase when needs for road projects arise, Millburn said.
During a Davis County Council of Governments meeting in January, mayors from most Davis cities threw their support behind the fee increase. Only North Salt Lake Mayor Shanna Shaefermeyer and Clinton Mayor Mitch Adams disagreed.
"We've had encouragement from the Council of Governments and the Davis Chamber of Commerce," Millburn said. "Both have sent letters asking us to seriously consider that matter."
"What haunts me," Downs said during the January meeting, "is what if we don't do this project?"
If commissioners enact the ordinance today, it would be the first fee increase enacted by the new commissioners. But Millburn said the fee would go toward a good cause.
"People don't like to be taxed and fee'd," he said. "When there's a specific need identified, it makes it a little bit more palatable."
E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com
Comments
- Ways to help others in need 7:49 p.m.
- Woman delivers grandchild 7:49 p.m.
- Cougars beat Utes, 26-23 7:10 p.m.
- Militia movement resurfaces in U.S. 6:36 p.m.
- U.S. wages war on AIDS in Vietnam 6:35 p.m.
- Radio traffic reports may be fading 6:33 p.m.
- Wildcats pounded by the Tribe 5:40 p.m.
- TSA gets Grinchy with snow globes 4:34 p.m.
- Luxury resort in depressed Rhode Is. 4:34 p.m.
- Jones' joy for life remembered 4:09 p.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Running game key to BYU offense
- Woods, wife unavailable for interview
- Idaho woman dies after fall
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
273 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Cougars beat Utes, 26-23
135 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
134 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
114 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Letters: Trump card for believers
98 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Are Mormons allowed to read fantasy novels? There is no Jesus in the WOT...
I thought the book was OK, but the Crown of Swords was much, much better.
With all the Sr. on BYU's offense weren't they supposed to kill Utah today?...
How novel an approach to the beginning of the festive season!
winning at least the 1st game in the NCAA's. It's been TOO LONG. Forget...
Hey, the all time record is now 53—34—4 in Utah's favor. Or is it...
Time for some humble pie U losers!!!
Well we won but it sure was nasty Glad max will be gone now get rid of...
was in play in 1996 - BYU won against Kansas (or KSU) in Dallas Cotton Bowl -...
Will be seeing 22 in their dreams for the rest of their lives...



You can be the first to comment on this story.