From Deseret News archives:
Car registrations may go up $10
Officials in both counties are considering adding $10 to the current yearly fee to pay to preserve rights of way for future roads.
The Salt Lake County Council on Tuesday gave preliminary approval for the fee increase and will make a final vote next week. Just up the road in Davis County, commissioners are also expected to vote on the fee increase during their Tuesday meeting.
The 2005 Legislature gave counties the option to levy the $10 to preserve highway corridors. The increase would generate about $175 million for Salt Lake County over the next 25 years. The money would go toward purchasing rights of way in the Mountain View Corridor, where a planned west-side highway is now under review for its environmental impact.
"As a Republican, I never like raising user fees, but I think this is forward-thinking," said Councilman Michael Jensen, who represents much of Salt Lake County's west side. "Buying the property now at today's values makes sense."
At the county meeting Tuesday, West Valley Mayor Dennis Nordfelt thanked the council for "having the courage" to be one of the first counties to consider the fee boost to secure roads in the future.
"We now know the corridors we need for the next 30 and 50 years," Nordfelt said. "You can save the taxpayers today and taxpayers tomorrow and taxpayers 50 years from now literally millions and millions and millions of dollars."
The council had been scheduled to give final approval on the fee hike Tuesday, but questions about proper notice prompted the council to wait another week to give county taxpayers a chance to have their say.
Meanwhile, Davis County wants to levy the fee to pay for land to extend Legacy Highway farther north. Every little bit helps, said Syracuse Mayor Fred Panucci, because it is cheaper to purchase land before it is developed. "We are looking at something that will save the taxpayers millions and millions of dollars," Panucci said.
Officials in all counties must decide by April 1 whether they want to levy the fee, according to the 2005 legislation. If not, they'll have to wait another year.
Salt Lake County officials want to move fast, as the state has agreed to make a $10 million match toward the Mountain View Corridor.
Contributing: Joseph M. Dougherty
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com
Comments
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full 12:51 a.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 12:50 a.m.
- Students from abroad come to Utah 12:26 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:18 a.m.
- Sports briefs 12:17 a.m.
- Editorial: Red flags at Fort Hood 12:14 a.m.
- Rid Capitol Hill of 'roaches' 12:14 a.m.
- Health proposal not 'reform' 12:14 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:14 a.m.
- Letters: No Nativity in D.C. 12:13 a.m.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
230 - TCU creams U.
225 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
206 - Will state consider gay rights law?
149 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
125 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
97 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
88
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
No, students are NOT safe from predators. If a parent wants to make sure...
If you really think Mormon's are mainstream, you must not have paid attention...
I don't see the schools presidents voting to get rid of WYM or NM, even...
why people complain about how football is covered by the media too much. when...
A little perspective is not a bad thing. Notice the Cougar's won loss record...
I actually was encouraged by some aspects of the game. Any Utah fan who has...
A story about Mormons as minorities? In this paper? Get over the "victim"...
she was an awesome woman someone i looked up to when i was younger she was...
Wow you just made one of the dumbest comments I've heard yet. Fire Bronco????...
Re: Huh?, You like many other haters are probably oblivious to many obvious...

You can be the first to comment on this story.