Commissioners in Salt Lake and Utah counties approved the increase Tuesday, a move that will clear the way for more pavement by providing cash to preserve future road corridors.
The Davis County Commission, stung in recent years when it tried to levy a hefty tax boost, backed away from approving the $10 increase. Commissioner Dannie McConkie noted Utahns already pay a gasoline tax to fund state roads.
"Is this double taxation?" he asked. "My answer is absolutely yes."
Weber County Commissioner Ken Bischoff struck a more neutral tone. He said none of his county's 15 cities responded to a request for input on the idea, so the county decided not to do anything this year.
"Without the consensus of our mayors, it wouldn't be prudent on the commission's part to move forward," he said. "That might cost us some money . . . but we're not in a hurry to do this."
But Salt Lake County is.
"Buying the property now, at today's values, makes sense," Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen has said. His council passed the measure 7-0.
In Utah County, commissioners voted 3-0 for the fee bump, although they were hardly excited about the extra money.
"This is a paltry pittance," Commissioner Steve White lamented about the county's yearly $2.6 million share, especially when compared with its $285 million worth of road needs.
In 2005, state lawmakers passed a measure allowing the fee increase. To land the corridor cash, though, counties must approve the higher fee by April 1.
In Salt Lake County, the boost is expected to total $7 million a year - money the Utah Department of Transportation would tap to tie up land for an expected toll road west of Bangerter Highway and stretching from Utah to Davis counties.
Mayor Peter Corroon argues the timing will be cost-effective.
"Ten dollars today will cost us $100 tomorrow," he said.
West-side leaders, who unanimously back the fee bump but are less enthusiastic about the planned toll, agree.
"I am really proud of our Salt Lake County Council," West Valley City Mayor Dennis Nordfelt said. "It was a courageous thing to do during an election year, and it was the right thing to do. Our citizens will save millions by buying up corridors now . . . rather than trying to get them after development has taken place."
Legislators earmarked $10 million this year that can be used in matching money for west Salt Lake County's Mountain View Corridor.
But Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson says regional planners there have different priorities and may opt to spend the cash on other thoroughfares.
They are interested in upgrades to regionally significant side roads to handle the overflow once the overhaul of Interstate 15 through Utah County begins in 2011.
Although he voted for the increase, White waxed whimsical about what might have been. The commission nixed putting a quarter-cent sales tax for roads on the ballot 18 months ago when mayors asked them to wait to see what the state would do to help heal the county's transportation ills.
"We could have had $25 million in the bank" to start work, White said.
Commissioner Jerry Grover said $2.6 million won't pay for much work. "This is a tiny first baby step."
Still, it's further than Davis County commissioners were willing to go. Commissioner Carol Page called preserving corridors a "no-brainer."
"It's just how we go about doing that."
The $10 fee would have raised $1.9 million in its first year and $70 million over 25 years in Davis County. The fee would fund new and improved state roads, as well as allow corridor preservation for local roads.
Last year, Davis County cities asked commissioners to approve the $10-per-car increase to buy land for future roads. This spring, however, only 10 of the city councils endorsed a resolution in support of the fee.
Wasatch Front Regional Council planning manager George Ramjoue is disappointed by the commission's refusal to green light the fee increase.
"It hurts Davis County," he said.
But McConkie argues the state legislation is flawed. It calls for the commission and mayors in counties to set project priorities. He said that is not enough. "A legislative body should have oversight."
---
Reporter Cathy McKitrick contributed to this story.
