Measures would boost rec centers, open space

If Salt Lake County voters approve two ballot propositions on Election Day, look for the accelerated construction of recreation centers and swaths of open space — including land for parks and trails — across the valley.

Proposition 1 is not a tax increase. The proposition would allow the county to bond for $65 million to accelerate the construction and renovation of county recreational facilities.

Taxes won't go up as the Zoo Arts and Parks tax is already being collected to pay for recreational projects, said Vicki Bourns, program manager for the county's open-space trust fund, as well as the ZAP program. The ZAP funds would then be used to pay off the bond.

The County Council already approved $63.6 million in recreation projects back in June. If Proposition 1 is approved, construction on new recreation centers, baseball parks and trails, as well as face-lifts for aging buildings can start as soon as possible.

"The options are to wait and do these projects a few at a time and watch construction costs go up and land acquisition costs go up, or we go ahead and bond for them at the incredible triple-A bond rating we have now," County Council Chairman Cort Ashton said. "The answer is clear."

No organized opposition to the propositions has surfaced.

Proposition 2 is a property tax increase that would raise $48 million to buy land for open space, regional parks and trails. If approved, property taxes on a $200,000 home would go up $9 a year.

Half of the $48 million bond would be used to buy land for future community and regional parks. The other $24 million would be used to purchase land for open space and natural habitat preservation as well as community trails.

Wendy Fisher, executive director of Utah Open Lands, said Utah lags far behind other states in open space funding. Nearly 15 years ago, Colorado voters approved a measure that allocates $35 million annually to open space. To date, that state has spent $388 million on open space, Fisher said.

In Utah, Fisher said, the most money ever set aside in the LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund was $3 million.

Without statewide support, Fisher said county leaders must push for open-space bonds like Proposition 2 and a similar bond in Park City on the ballot Nov. 7.