Final approval on using the estimated $175 million to preserve land for the Mountain View Corridor will come next Tuesday. If passed - this week's vote was 7-1 in favor - the registration hike for Salt Lake County drivers will take effect July 1.

But during Tuesday's public hearing, a representative of Utah Clear, a government watchdog group, argued the public was not given ample notice of the "tax."

"There was what, 2 1/2 months on the calendar to discuss this," Joycelynn Straight, the only resident to address the council, said. "Public input really needs to be there. That's what you're all here for. Otherwise, we could just have kings, and you could do what you want."

Straight suggested the council crammed the issue through and said the public hearing was scheduled on political caucus night, killing turnout. She noted the 2005 legislation that greased the new fee took effect Jan. 1.

In response, the council agreed to hold a second vote - but no public hearing - Tuesday, giving the public a week to react. Under the terms of SB8, a decision must be made by April 1.

"We were not required by law to hold a public hearing, and we posted one up anyway," explained Councilman Joe Hatch, who nonetheless was Tuesday's lone dissenting vote. "I am not terribly distressed by the process."

Most council members echoed one another: that approving the fee was wise in order to preserve a transportation corridor before it gets developed.

West Valley City Mayor Dennis Nordfelt agreed.

"It's the cost-effective thing," he told the council. "You can save the taxpayers today, the taxpayers tomorrow and the taxpayers 50 years from now, literally millions and millions and millions."

During the 2006 legislative session, the state agreed to make a $10 million match toward the corridor. That stretch extends from nearly Utah County to Davis County west of Bangerter Highway. Construction could start sometime during the next decade for what is expected to be a toll road.

Hatch and Councilwoman Jenny Wilson said they were disappointed state lawmakers did not tap a $1 billion surplus for the corridor but, as Wilson noted, "that train already has left the building."

Councilman Mark Crockett apologized to Straight but reiterated the new state law and its April 1 deadline virtually held the county hostage.

"We hope you will give this same speech to the state Legislature."

djensen@sltrib.com

Final approval

The Council is expected to give final approval next Tuesday to the $10 vehicle registration fee hike.