Airport TRAX funds take twisty path

Now, second-class counties can increase their local sales tax for airport, highway and transit projects. Provo wants to add a radar system in the facility there, and Washington County is building a brand new airport. The revenues also could be used for road projects in Weber and Davis counties, Clark said.

The bill also allows counties to use tourism and recreation dollars for airport improvements. On top of that, Provo leaders received $1 million in one-time funding from the Legislature to help fund a local match for the $5 million radar. The city wanted $1.25 million, but Provo Mayor Lewis Billings is still happy with what his city received.

Billings said city officials will look at other funding options to get a radar at the airport. He said they may talk to other communities and stakeholder organizations that have an interest in securing radar for the airport.

"All of Utah County gets a clear benefit," Billings said. "We'll get it done."

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Contributing: Jens Dana, Jared Page
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com