The council's board, composed of elected officials from Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Morgan and Tooele counties, voted unanimously to approve a tax package for its long-range transportation plan. If approved by lawmakers, it would raise $6 billion by 2015 to pay for such things as I-15 and I-80 improvements and expansion of and future commuter and light rail service.

The Mountainland Association of Governments, which comprises Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties, is expected to vote on the proposal next week.

Essentially, the plan calls for:

l A 5-cent-per-gallon increase in the statewide gas tax, with future gas tax hikes tied to inflation, as well as applying state sales tax to gasoline.

l A increase in the transit share of the sales tax that would bring Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties to a half-cent contribution. Weber and Davis counties already contribute a half-cent to the Utah Transit Authority; Salt Lake County residents would see a one-sixteenth of a cent increase to get to the half-cent level.

In addition, the proposal calls for a voter-approved bond to fund a "Transit District" through a property tax hike.

l A $20 per year increase in vehicle registration fees.

"The members of the council committed themselves to supporting revenue enhancements to build these projects," said Wasatch Front Regional Council spokesman Sam Klemm.

"They came down and essentially said, 'We have to have these projects or we'll face worsening congestion.' "

And for the first time, the council put forth a funding proposal that includes both roads and transit.

"We've put them together and we think it will create a very synergistic effect," said Klemm. "Each mode of transportation has a role to play. Each serves its own purpose. We need the funding, but we need both parts to make it all work."

jbaird@sltrib.com