OREM — The Orem City Council's approval of a cultural arts strategic plan and an Arts Council on Tuesday night was seen as a big step in bolstering cultural arts in the community.

Members of the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission, who have spent the past three years working toward Tuesday night's results, said they were thrilled with the decisions.

"We did it. The (City Council) did it. We have an arts council," said Carol Walker, chair of the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission. "It's just a really good feeling. ... It's so exciting."

The commission spent hundreds of hours defining the cultural arts needs and goals of Orem and ended up with an intensely scrutinized seven-page plan.

"This is a wonderful document, it really defines a good direction for the future," said Orem City Council member Mark Seastrand.

Part of that future includes determining the distribution of Cultural Arts and Recreation Enrichment (CARE) tax dollars.

The CARE tax — which passed in the November 2005 election — is a one-tenth of one percent sales tax that will bring in nearly $2 million a year for cultural arts and recreation opportunities.

The first step, after getting the tax, was establishing a plan and an arts council.

"It has taken many, many months to put this together," Mayor Jerry Washburn told the Arts Commission. "You have done a wonderful job. We appreciate again your great work and effort."

The next step is determining the exact criteria for parties interested in applying for CARE tax dollars. That discussion will take place in the Jan. 23 City Council meeting.

There are parameters, however, as state law designates the money can be used only for nonprofit cultural arts programs and public facilities, and city-owned recreation facilities.

Although the City Council approved the cultural arts strategic plan and established the Arts Council, it decided to wait before filling the new council's 11 positions.

Some Orem residents had asked how to get involved in the council process — information that before hadn't been readily available.

Seastrand said he supported the idea of making positions available, while allowing those on the old Advisory Commission to retain their seats if they'd like.

"That will still give quite a few openings for new blood — people who have some new ideas that are welcome and needed," he said. "But I still feel strongly that those who wanted to serve ...(should be allowed to continue) because they have a huge stake."

City Council members agreed that any council member had to be an Orem resident, but said they would receive letters of intent from interested residents until Jan. 2.

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