Arts groups across the Salt Lake Valley have a new reason to dance. The Salt Lake County Council on Tuesday designated more than $9 million in Zoo, Arts and Parks tax funds for 70 arts organizations. The money will be distributed to 25 larger Tier One and 45 smaller Tier Two groups as part of the 2005-'06 ZAP cycle. Chris Crowley, director of the county's community services department, said selections were determined by need and eligibility, not politics. "The process went very smooth and was backed up by the most solid documentation," he said. The Utah Symphony and Opera garnered the biggest chunk at more than $2.5 million, while Ballet West nabbed more than $1 million. Of the smaller groups, new applicant Saltgrass Printmakers received $2,000 and the Draper Visual Arts Foundation netted $4,000. Hale Centre Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company, Red Butte Garden, Sundance Institute and the Utah Museum of Natural History tallied amounts in the half-million range. Kingsbury Hall and Living Planet Aquarium are the only new recipients in the Tier One program. Mayor Peter Corroon noted not all organizations were happy but said some "tweaks" still are possible. "Overall, it was a fair process," Corroon said. - Derek P. Jensen