Orem nearing a RAP tax
City awaits OK from county to put question on ballot
The city is waiting for the go-ahead from the Utah County Commission to place a "RAP" tax question on the November ballot — but the commission has 60 days to decide.
A "RAP" or "ZAP" tax means increased funding for recreation, arts, parks and zoos through a tax hike of one-tenth of one percent, or 10 cents for every $100 spent. If approved by voters, the tax would be in place for eight years and would continue only if approved through another public vote.
The county commission is involved because it has the option to impose a countywide tax. Such a decision would prevent Orem from levying its own. The countywide tax would still benefit the Orem programs but probably to a lesser extent than an Orem-only tax. The tax money would be shared among all communities seeking to boost funding for their programs.
The issue has been studied for almost three years, with extensive surveying resulting in a Cultural Arts Strategic Plan presented to the Orem City Council on Tuesday night. The 16-page plan, prepared by the Orem Cultural Arts Commission, outlines the goals in creating new facilities, updating old ones and increasing publicity about community events. And so far, the support is strong.
The nine-member commission has been working with the city to raise cultural awareness in Orem and create a stronger arts community. But despite the previous months of work, it's only the beginning. The plan isn't perfect yet and Robinson said the commission will continue to tweak and clarify the proposal.
Right now, the plan outlines goals to beautify the city with statuary art, sponsor new citywide music and art festivals, produce a citywide arts calendar, sponsor the Utah Valley Regional Ballet, build a children's museum, renovate SCERA and develop an Orem Art Council, among other things.
"It's absolutely necessary," said Adam Robertson, president and CEO of SCERA. "I think all of the arts organizations locally would benefit from it."
The landmark SCERA theater is celebrating its 71st year in Orem, and despite its ability to fund almost 60 percent of its operations, it still needs a 40 percent subsidy from the city to break even — or slightly less than $500,000 dollars each year, Robertson said.
"Some kind of contribution by way of a recreation arts and parks allocation would certainly help toward that," he said.
He added that the tax is small enough to be almost insignificant for taxpayers, while it would mean a world of difference in benefiting arts organizations.
A similar ZAP tax in Salt Lake City has been passed multiple times, most recently in November 2004 with an overwhelming majority, enabling a 1/10 cent tax increase to continue providing support for Hogle Zoo, Utah Symphony and Opera, Ballet West and other arts organizations.
Robinson said the response he saw from that tax was positive, and hopes to have the same result in Orem.
"It's a good thing," he said. "It's been good for Salt Lake, (it will) be good here — if it can happen."
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com
You can be the first to comment on this story.