Road tax is on agenda

PROVO — Utah County voters could decide in November whether to pay an additional quarter-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

But it's up to the Utah County Commission to place the issue on the ballot.

The three-man elected commission today will discuss — for the first time in a public forum — a possible sales tax increase.

Representatives from the Mountainland Association of Governments, which has been studying the idea for more than a year, will present findings to the commission.

Darrell Cook, the association's executive director, called a proposed sales tax hike "the most viable option" in addressing the various transportation needs in the county.

Utah County Commissioner Steve White said that putting the sales tax on the ballot has not been officially proposed. "We're waiting on MAG to make an official proposal," he said.

Cook said he's not prepared to make such a proposal yet. "The intent (today) is to open a formal dialogue on the merits of a sales tax," he said.

Following today's meeting, the commission will take about a month to examine the issue further, White said.

The current county sales tax is 6.25 percent. The quarter-cent sales tax hike would generate about $12.5 million per year for the county, according to White.

That money could help pay for improvements to Geneva Road, U.S. 6, U.S. 89, U-68 in Saratoga Springs and U-92 in Alpine.

Officials from the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority General Manager John Inglish are also expected to attend today's meeting, White said.

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