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RESOLUTION NO. 21 OF 2015
A resolution of the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, supporting HB 362 (2015) authorizing a 0.25% local option general sales tax dedicated to transportation, encouraging the County of Salt Lake to submit the proposal to voters in November 2015, and encouraging voters to support the proposal.
WHEREAS, a safe and efficient transportation system creates the foundation for economic growth, improved air quality and public health, and enhanced quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the creation and maintenance of transportation infrastructure is a core responsibility of local government; and
WHEREAS, Utah's population is expected to grow by 2 million residents by 2040; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City’s residents demand new comprehensive transportation options such as bike lanes, multi-use paths, off-road trails, and transit, in addition to traditional roads; and
WHEREAS, due to drastic shortfalls in transportation revenue, Salt Lake City is using millions of dollars from the general fund to supplement Class B&C Fund revenue to try to meet local transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, research from the Utah Department of Transportation indicates that road rehabilitation costs six times as much as road maintenance, and road reconstruction costs ten times as much as road maintenance, and
WHEREAS, investing in transportation results in economic development for Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County and accessible good-paying jobs for our residents; and
WHEREAS, improving comprehensive transportation in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County will reduce private vehicle usage which will in turn lead to improved air quality; and
WHEREAS, poor air quality discourages economic development, business recruitment and tourism visits, and contributes to asthma and other health ailments; and
WHEREAS, nearly one in ten Utah adults suffers from asthma and struggles to breathe during poor air quality days; and
WHEREAS, nearly 57% of Utah adults are overweight, nearly 200,000 Utahns have diabetes, and diabetes and obesity related health care costs in Utah exceed $700 million; and
WHEREAS, investing in safe and connected trails, bike lanes, sidewalks, and multi-use paths will encourage our residents to be more active, enable them to spend more time with their families via active transportation, and result in improved personal and community health; and
WHEREAS, Utah has created a Unified Transportation Plan to address these comprehensive transportation and quality of life issues; and
WHEREAS, the Utah Legislature recognized the local transportation needs and enacted HB 362 which authorizes counties to impose, and voters to approve a 0.25% local option general sales tax dedicated to local transportation; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City will, upon county imposition and voter approval, receive
0.10% of the 0.25% sales tax to invest in critical local transportation needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, as follows:
SECTION 1. Support the 0.25% Local Option General Sales Tax. The City Council supports the proposed 0.25 % Local Option General Sales Tax that the Salt Lake County governing body may submit to voters in November.
SECTION 2. Encourage Submission of Proposal to the Voters of Salt Lake County. The City Council urges the county governing body to submit the 0.25% local option general sales tax dedicated to transportation to the voters of the county for the November 2015 election. The City Council also publicly supports the county governing body in submitting the 0.25% local option general sales tax dedicated to transportation to the electorate of the county.
SECTION 3. Encourage Voters to Enact the 0.25% Local Option General Sales
Tax. The City Council encourages voters to carefully consider the potential impact from the
0.25% general sales tax local option and to support the enactment of the 0.25% local option general sales tax because of the potential impact explained below.
SECTION 4. Road and Street Needs in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City has significant traditional transportation needs that the municipal 0.10% portion could address. For example, the city has a backlog of road maintenance projects. Adoption of the municipal 0.10% would enable the city to invest in critical projects that our residents expect.
SECTION 5. Active and Alternative Transportation Infrastructure Needs in Salt Lake City. The City has significant active and alternative transportation needs that the municipal 0.10% portion could address. More residents are demanding improved sidewalks and pedestrian safety modes, enhanced bike lanes better connectivity with transit, more traffic calming devices, and other modern transportation infrastructure. Investment in active transportation options will encourage residents to travel via walking, biking, and transit, result in a healthier population, reduced emissions, decreased health care costs, and improved quality of life.
SECTION 6. Investment in Transit. The City supports continued investment in public transit because transit can help relieve traffic, promote walkable communities, and improve air quality. The transit system will receive 0.10% of the county imposed and voter approved 0.25% local option general sales tax. The City expects the transit system to utilize the revenues collected within the City for projects that will expand local bus service, foster local and regional connectivity, and benefit the residents of the City.
SECTION 7. Distribution of this Resolution. A copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Salt Lake County Council, the Utah League of Cities & Towns, the Utah Association of Counties, the Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, the President of the Utah State Senate, State Representatives and Senators who represent the City, and the Governor of Utah.
SECTION 8. Effective date. This Resolution shall become effective upon passage.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this 16th day of June, 2015.