LEHI — Tom Warne, the former head of the Utah Department of Transportation, told local officials on Wednesday to look outside the state and federal governments as they search for ways to pay for road improvements.

The city and county leaders joined a group of state legislators on a tour of north Utah County roads prior to a legislative task force meeting held in Lehi.

Warne said 18 counties in California that grew weary of waiting for federal and state funding raised the money they needed using a variety of sales-tax initiatives and fees.

In those counties, more than $20 billion have been committed to road projects thus far, Warne said.

The taxes were levied and administered for specific projects with specific timelines, he said, which helped them win a high rate of voter passage.

In Treasure Valley, Idaho, the county has put a $20 fee on cars that is raising money for that county's needs.

"Locals (officials) are taking matters into their own hands, but their hands have been untied by their legislators," Warne said. He told the task force made up of legislators that part of the solution lies in their recognition of legislative responsibility.

Other options Warne shared included a local fuel tax that could be matched with contributions from state and federal coffers.

Communities could also use entertainment and tourism tax money as well as rental car taxes.

Some states have formed regional transportation districts with a separate governing body charged with overseeing the raising and expenditure of funds generated by a local half-cent sales tax, up to $100 per vehicle annual fee, toll road revenues, minor taxes and up to 10 percent of the state's gas tax.

Warne said the legislature could amend the state code to allow cities to impose impact fees designed to recover the cost of state and federal road improvements. Currently the state code prohibits impact fees to be spent on state and federal roads.

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