Figuring what the people won't pay for the arts they might pay for recreation, Salt Lake County will ask voters, once again, to approve a one-tenth percent sales tax increase.
The Salt Lake County Commission voted Wednesday to put the request for the tax increase on the November general election ballot. If approved, the increase could bring in $13 million for arts and recreation.The county tried for the "voted leeway" in May 1993, but citizens said a resounding "no," defeating the proposal by a 3-2 margin. Humbled by the defeat, Salt Lake County Commissioner Randy Horiuchi said at the time that the county wouldn't try a second time for the increase.
But time and the Utah Legislature have softened the memory of the 1993 defeat. The 1996 Legislature passed a law that allowing the voted leeway to be used for recreation as well as art.
"I think the recreational aspect changed our thoughts on it," Horiuchi said. "If the tax increase does pass, the benefits to recreation and open space are really heavy. That broadens both the appeal to the public and our ability to use the money. I think we can do a lot of things that will benefit the quality of life in the county."
Under the 1996 law, 30 percent of the money - $3.6 million annually - would go to county parks and recreation projects. Slightly more than 50 percent would be given to cultural organizations with budgets of more than $250,000, such as the Utah Symphony and Ballet West. Zoological organizations, such as the Hogle Zoo, would receive 12.5 percent.
The final 5 percent would be given to cultural organizations with budgets less than $250,000. "That would be any of the local arts councils: the Magna Community Arts Council, the Riverton City Arts Council and Draper City Arts Council for example," said Julie Peck, director of Salt Lake County Community Support Ser-vices.
When the county tried for the tax increase three years ago, it held a May referendum that cost taxpayers more than $50,000 for polling places, judges and ballots.
About 17 percent of the county's 381,416 voters turned out to vote on the proposal.
At the time, county officials read the defeat as a rejection of any tax increase. "The vote sent a very clear signal to all public officials that citizens do not want increased taxes for any reason," Salt Lake County Commissioner Brent Overson said after the referendum.
However, counties continue to hunger after a diversified tax base. Even the one-tenth percent sales tax would give the county at least a tiny tax that reflects growth and inflation. The property tax doesn't really reflect either, Horiuchi said.
If voters approve the tax increase, the county would lavish $13 million on arts and recreation, but its coffers wouldn't swell the first year. State law requires the county to reduce property tax by the same amount the county receives in sales tax the first year, Horiuchi said.
However, after the first year, any growth in sales tax is straight gain for county coffers, he explained.