Supporters of a plan to raise the sales tax rate in four counties for mass transit expansion have a powerful new ally: the Salt Lake County Council.

Never mind the fact that state Senate leaders have already nixed the idea. That setback didn't stop the council from passing a resolution Tuesday urging the governor to call a special session in July to authorize counties to put a sales tax hike on the November ballot.

"We still need to find a way to make this work," Councilman Michael Jensen said Tuesday.

If Salt Lake County voters approved the 1/4 percent increase, it would speed up construction of four west-side TRAX extensions and, perhaps, commuter rail.

County leaders are also mulling an $895 million bond to build the projects and be repaid through property taxes.

"It is unlikely that we would be able to do that whole property tax, either because the council says no to that size or because voters say so," County Councilman Mark Crockett said. "If we really want to move ahead, then the Legislature needs to think about an alternative that includes more than just property taxes."

Congestion will more than triple in the valley if residents and elected officials don't pledge more money to transportation, according to a study by the Salt Lake Chamber and the 2015 Transportation Alliance.

State senators scoffed at the idea of a special session last week, and other lawmakers followed suit Tuesday. House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, said Tuesday that in his opinion July would be too early to hold a special session.

"We haven't had discussion about this," he said, "and this is one that will take time to discuss."

Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, chairman of the transportation interim committee, said that the chamber's sales tax proposal did not address the state's complete transportation issues. Planners estimate that Utah is facing a $23 billion deficit over the next 30 years for transportation infrastructure statewide.

"Am I interested in taking all the sales tax head room and putting it to mass transit?" he asked. "No, I'm not. I'd like there to be a stronger component looking at roads. Does that mean I'm anti-transit? No. I just think we have a greater picture that we have to look at here."

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has no plans on calling the special session, his spokesman Mike Mower said.

"We recognize this is a pressing issue in a state growing as quickly as ours," he said. "We envision taking up this issue during the next year or so . . . there are no immediate plans for convening a special session."

Even still, both business leaders and transit advocates say the council's resolution bolsters their argument for a tax increase for transit.

The chamber wants the sales tax dedicated to transportation increased to one percent in Davis, Weber, Salt Lake and Utah counties. Salt Lake County, however, is a top priority for the business group.

"This really makes me pleased that the county would do that," said Lane Beattie, chamber president. "Salt Lake County is very critical. If other counties feel the time isn't right for them, lawmakers should at least make sure that in Salt Lake County this is an option."

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