-

After pointed debate Tuesday, the Salt Lake County Council gave preliminary approval for a $10 vehicle-registration hike to help preserve land for a west-side highway corridor.

"This is one of those things that [the Legislature] could have used the surplus to help out," Councilman Randy Horiuchi said. "But we're good soldiers for the state. We always have been."

The council voted 8-1 to boost the fee, which was conceived by the 2005 Legislature to take effect July 1 of this year. The money, about $175 million collected over 25 years, will go toward the Mountain View Corridor, which is expected to be a toll road.

Councilman Joe Hatch, the lone dissenter, attempted to make the "tax" contingent on placing a November ballot question before voters to pose how to pay for planned light-rail spurs to the west side.

That move failed on a 5-4 party-line vote.

Hatch, a Democrat, argued transit and new roads should be considered together. But Republican Councilman Mark Crockett said the community should not be "held hostage" for both transportation challenges.

Under the legislation, the state has agreed to make a $10 million match toward the corridor.

Councilman Michael Jensen, who represents much of the west side, was disappointed the state passed the rest of the cost onto the county. But, he noted, the expected population boom warrants the roadway plan.

"Buying the property now at today's values makes sense," he said.

Mayor Peter Corroon agreed.

"Ten dollars today will cost us one hundred dollars tomorrow," he said. "Plus, we may have to kick people out of their houses [if we wait]."

- Derek P. Jensen

Public hearing

A public hearing on the $10 bump in vehicle-registration fees is scheduled for March 21 during the Salt Lake County Council's 4 p.m. meeting at the County Government Center, 2001 S. State.