By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The question about whether a sales tax quarter-cent increase per $1 in sales designed to help fund local roads and transportation will be on the ballot in Juab County in November.
Juab County cities passed resolutions, sent letters or talked to commissioners requesting that the county commission place on the ballot this year a proposed sales-tax increase for local roads.
"I think that it is our duty to put the question out for a vote," said Clint Painter, commissioner.
Byron Woodland, commission chairman, said he did not like higher taxes any more than the next person, however, he also realized the critical state of the roadways in the county.
He said that spending 25-cents out of $1.00 was something he could afford and hoped most people could afford.
"We have been spending $250,000 to $500,000 annually on our roads," said Woodland. "It takes us $1.2 million to build one mile of two-lane highway."
In four to five years, he said, the county would no longer be able to do that. They are able do it now because some wise commissioners in the past had squirreled away some, at the time, excess funding.
Rick Carlton, commissioner, said he would support putting the question on the ballot. It would then be up to the voters in the county to make the final decision.
He made the motion to put the question on the ballot this fall and Painter seconded it with all commissioners voting in favor.
But critics such as the Utah Taxpayers Association oppose holding the election during this year's municipal runoffs when turnout is usually light. They want to wait until next year's presidential election when far more voters will head to the polls.
At least 55 Utah cities and towns have passed or are considering passing resolutions calling for the tax hike to be put on ballots this year, claiming the need is urgent.
"'The longer you wait, the more you spend' because studies show that maintenance that normally costs $1 will cost $6 if delayed, and rehabilitation is needed, and $10 if replacement is eventually required", said Lynn Pace, senior adviser to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. "If you can't find $1 now, you'll have to find $6 or more later."
The local-option vote on a quarter-cent sales tax hike (0.25 cent per $1 purchase) is allowed by a new law, HB362. It will also raise the state's gasoline tax by 5 cents a gallon January 1, the first boost in 18 years, with automatic inflation-indexed increases to follow.
"Cities like Nephi have aging bridges that need to be replaced," said Woodland. "All prices have gone sky high."
Everything from materials costs, such as asphalt, to equipment costs, even tires for machines, had increased dramatically. There is just not the money available for rebuilding the bridges.
In areas with transit districts, such as the Utah Transit Authority along the Wasatch Front, 40 percent of that new sales-tax revenue would go to cities, 20 percent to counties for local transportation needs and 40 percent for transit.
In rural areas like Juab, 40 percent would go to cities and 60 percent to counties.
Also pushing for the question to be on the ballot this fall, is a group of businesses called the Utah Transportation Coalition.
The coalition points to studies showing that Utah has an $11.3 billion shortfall for priority transportation projects during the next 25 years. The group has helped push the resolutions being adopted by cities to prod a quick ballot vote.
"I do like to drive," said Woodland. "It is nice to have good roads to drive on. Ultimately, it will be up to the voters to make a choice as to what will happen. We are just giving the voters a chance to choose."
