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RESOLUTION NO. 26 OF 2018
A Resolution Supporting the HB 362 (2015) Authorized 0.25 Percent Local Option General Sales Tax Dedicated to Transportation, and Supporting the Imposition of the Tax in 2018 Per SB 136 (2018)
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, Salt Lake City’s population has grown by 4.7 percent since 2010 to 195,262 and is projected to grow even more as Salt Lake County’s population is forecast to increase by 630,000 by 2050, and Utah’s population is expected to grow by more than two million residents by 2050; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City’s residents need and demand comprehensive transportation options such as bike lanes, multi-use paths, off-road trails, and transit, in addition to traditional roads; and
Whereas, the City Council in December 2017 adopted the Transit Master Plan for the City to guide future transit development in Salt Lake City; and
Whereas, according to the 2017 city-wide pavement survey of road and street conditions, two-thirds of Salt Lake City roads and streets are in poor condition or worse; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City is using $3.2 million from the general fund to supplement the Class B&C Fund revenue in order to try to address Salt Lake City’s 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 comprehensive transportation results in economic development for Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County and accessible good-paying jobs for Salt Lake City’s residents; and
WHEREAS, improving comprehensive transportation in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County will reduce private vehicle usage that 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 nearly 1 in 10 Utah adults suffer from asthma and struggle 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 Salt Lake City’s 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 State Legislature enacted HB 362 in 2015 which authorized a 0.25 percent local option general sales tax dedicated to local transportation (the “fourth quarter”); and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City adopted Resolution No. 2 on January 20, 2015 to request that Salt Lake County implement the 0.25 percent local option sales tax; and
WHEREAS, the Utah State Legislature enacted SB 136 in 2018 which authorizes a county to impose the 0.25 percent local option sales tax between May 8, 2018 and June 30, 2019 to pay for debt service or fund regionally significant transportation projects; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City will, upon county imposition and per the SB 136 formula phase in, receive 0.10 percent of the 0.25 percent sales tax come July 1, 2019 and beyond to invest in critical local transportation needs.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, as follows:
SECTION 1. Support the Imposition of the 0.25 percent Local Option General Sales Tax. The City Council supports the proposed 0.25 percent Local Option General Sales Tax that the Salt Lake County Council may impose.
SECTION 2. Investment in the Road and Street Needs in Salt Lake City. The City has significant traditional transportation needs that the municipal 0.10 percent portion could address. Adoption of the municipal 0.10 percent portion would enable the City to invest in the critical projects that Salt Lake City’s residents need and expect.
SECTION 3. Active and Alternative Transportation Infrastructure Needs in Salt Lake City. The City has significant active and alternative transportation needs that the municipal 0.10 percent portion could address. Investment in active transportation will encourage residents to travel via walking, biking, and transit, and result in a healthier population, reduced emissions, decreased health care costs, and improved quality of life.
SECTION 4. Investment in Transit. The City supports investment in public transit because transit can help relieve traffic, promote walkable communities, and improve air quality. The transit system will receive 0.10 percent of the 0.25 percent local option general sales tax. The City expects the transit system to use the revenues collected within Salt Lake City or Salt Lake County for projects that will enhance local bus service, foster local and regional connectivity, and benefit Salt Lake City’s residents. In supporting the resolution the City Council:
•Supports the transparent process in potential distribution of funds that the County is working toward;
•Expresses interest in and respectfully requests an opportunity to have a representative on the Board of municipal officials that considers requests for funds from new revenue managed by the County, so that the Salt Lake City Council may be an active part of the collaboration and synergy that is fundamental to maximizing the community building opportunities this funding can bring;
•Encourages the County, in the initial funding round, to prioritize approval of applications from cities that adopt the transit tax resolution under the theory that cities that have been actively engaged in this process and are very cognizant of the transportation needs will be best prepared to quickly put the funds to work to benefit the entire County.
SECTION 5. Distribution of this Resolution. A copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Salt Lake County Council, the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (if applicable), 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 the State of Utah.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon passage.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this 12th day of June, 2018.