Cities seek nonexistent gas-tax funds

Utah cities are beseeching the state government to send funds their way for local road construction and repair.

City councils from South Salt Lake to West Valley City are passing resolutions that request a fair share of any receipts from increased fuel taxes, which the Legislature controls. The problem is, the state is very unlikely to approve any tax increases this year, according to sources at the state Capitol.

State legislators have already approved fee increases for vehicle licensing and court services. They are nearly done with budget discussions for the 2009 session.

Salt Lake Chamber spokesman Marty Carpenter said the state was able to fund road projects such as I-15 in Utah County, the Mountain View Corridor and the Southern Parkway with federal stimulus dollars, thereby negating the need for increased gas taxes. But Utah's fuel taxes are low compared with other states and haven't been revised since the late '90s, Carpenter said.

The chamber continues to push for revised fuel tax policies, calling the user-based tax "a fair way to go about distributing cost."

"This is still in play eventually," Carpenter said. "Wear and tear on our roads continues."

The city council votes asking for funding follow a decision by the Legislative Policy Committee of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. The league provided language for a standard resolution to all of its members.

E-MAIL:rpalmer@desnews.com