PROVO — Utah County commissioners have slammed the brakes on a proposed sales-tax increase to pay for road construction.

In a sudden move Tuesday, the three-man commission decided not to seek approval at the ballot box for a quarter-cent increase to cover the costs of 27 road projects in Utah Valley.

Commissioner Steve White, attending Tuesday's meeting via speakerphone, said state lawmakers are paying more attention to Utah County's transportation needs — and he's willing to put off raising local taxes if state tax funds could materialize after next year's legislative session.

State Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, urged the commission to back away from asking for a tax increase for roads in November.

The senator said the vote to put the matter on the ballot served as a wake-up call for Utah County legislators and the state transportation committee.

"We recognize we need to fix the problem of funding hemorrhages," Stephenson told the commission, referring to money taken from the Centennial Highway Fund to help with state budget woes. "We are all keenly aware of the serious nature of the problem with state roads in Utah County."

Stephenson, who also is president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, said delaying the sales tax increase question until November 2005 would give legislators time to take action — and leave it hanging over their heads, as well.

"Your action acts as a hammer. That's a powerful motivator," he said. "I believe you have really given (the Legislature) an impetus to make something happen for a problem long overdue."

Stephenson said if the Legislature doesn't act then he would agree that Utah County government leaders have no choice but to take matters into their own hands. If done prematurely, however, it would be unfair to the local taxpayers.

"To force Utah County taxpayers to pay (for state roads) when others don't have to is unfair," Stephenson said.

Commissioner Jerry Grover objected to removing the question from the general election ballot. A special election in 2005 would be expensive and cumbersome, he said. "I think it's a waste of taxpayer money," Grover said.

Utah County Auditor Kim Jackson said it will cost at least $100,000 to run a special county election alongside the municipal elections in 2005.

It will require separate polling tables and boxes and judges.

Commissioner Gary Herbert, the only commissioner who stood against putting the matter on the ballot when the commission voted on the issue two weeks ago, said a special election might cost $100,000 but it would reap $12 million if the increase passes.

Grover said it took four months to discuss and approve putting the question on the ballot. To reverse it is confusing and politically damaging, he said.

"We're just the John Kerry commission because of the way we flip-flopped," Grover said. "This is probably the dumbest thing we've done as a commission."

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