The Moab City Council will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22 to hear comments from residents about the Proposition 8 opinion question that will be on the general election ballot this fall. Only voters living within city boundaries will see the question on their 2020 ballot.
Moab City Council meetings are currently being held electronically. Residents who wish to provide input at the Sept. 22 meeting can do so either by joining the meeting electronically by Zoom or by phone. Written comments may also be submitted.
To join by video: http://bit.ly/Prop8PublicComments
To join by phone: (669) 900-9128
Meeting ID (if needed): 821 2405 5519
Password (if needed): 279552
To submit written comments: https://forms.gle/LvcMTLB9rVi6kPnAA
Those joining the meeting will be placed in a waiting room and added to the meeting by the moderator. Comments will be recorded and the meeting video will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Proposition 8, asks the question, "Shall the City of Moab, Utah, be authorized to impose a .1% sales and use tax to fund cultural facilities, recreational facilities, and zoological facilities and botanical organizations, cultural organizations, and zoological organizations in the city?” If approved, the tax would amount to 1 cent for every $10 spent on qualifying items sold within Moab city limits.
The Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) Tax is collected on sales and uses within the City of Moab, therefore, it is not a tax solely on Moab residents. The tax is not charged on unprepared food and gasoline. Based on the City of Moab’s 2019 sales tax revenues, it is estimated that at least 79 percent of the RAP Tax revenues will come from visitors to the area.
Because it is a tax is levied on purchases of goods or services within Moab city boundaries, a visitor or tourist who shops in Moab stores, attends events, stays in overnight lodging, or eats in a restaurant in Moab will contribute to the RAP tax.
“This is the last available tourist tax that has not been implemented by the city,” said City Manager Joel Linares. “It has been brought forward at the request of the city council as they feel during these uncertain economic times it is incumbent on the city to collect all revenue possible from visitors.”
Funds generated from the tax may only be used for recreational, cultural, arts and parks facilities and programs provided by the city or qualifying nonprofit groups. State law prohibits the use of RAP Tax revenue for any other purpose, including general administrative expenses.
These tax revenues will help the City sustain funding for community programs and facilities – such as parks, the Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center (MRAC), and Moab Arts Center as well as arts, sports, and recreation programs for local youth – and can also be used to provide funding to local qualifying nonprofit groups.
If Proposition 8 is approved, Moab City residents will have the opportunity to give input into how the funds are distributed. Potential amenities and programs will be suggested during each budget year and that information will be available to the community so residents can make their views known during a public meeting. The City Council will consider community feedback when making the final decision.
Currently, seven counties and 33 cities in Utah have enacted a RAP Tax. Those include Green River, Ivins, Washington City, Cedar City, Vineyard, Bountiful, Payson, Fairview City, Park City, Spanish Fork, St. George, Lehi, Provo, Lindon, and Toole.
For more information about Proposition 8 visit moabcity.org/Proposition8.