Were I to create an argument supporting the RAP Tax Initiative, what critical questions might I ask? (Other than what the heck is the RAP Tax Initiative.)
Will sales tax increase? If not the funds that will be taken 1/10th of 1% what are the funds being taken away from? Once the funds are given to the non profits who then determines what the funds are used for? Are the funds just going to pad the CEO's salary package, how much of the funds will actually go for the cause? What future benefits will the community receive from this tax? (Do you expect to see an increase in visitors to St. George because arts and rec are stronger?) Is it our responsibility as a community to really make sure that a non profit is surviving or thriving unless we chose to personally support the non profit ourselves? Or is it the responsibility of the non profit (since they are receiving funds from those who live in the community) to support and help the community they are in?
These are a few questions that came to mind for me; Where has a RAP Tax been implemented in the past? What types of projects were funded from the tax? What impact did the projects have on the communities? What was the outcome, positive or negative, on the communities affected? What was the attitude of the residents and visitors toward this tax? What types of project could be built or improved in our area with such a tax? How would these projects improve the quality of life in our area? Would these projects have a positive impact economically on our area in the future?
What are our current tax appropriations not covering adequately? David Clark states "I challenge anybody in this room to think about the taxes that you've been paying and consider how many of those you have had a say in what the rate is and what it is being spent for." Is this a valid reason to vote for this proposed RAP tax initiative because we would have a say? If the RAP tax is passed, will a portion of the funds be allocated for administrative and an advisory board and is so, what percentage? Due to the recession seven years ago, Washington County Arts Council put a hold on their original idea to implement a recreation and arts tax. What has improved since then to justify passing the RAP tax? Dian R. Robinson
What specific projects or deficits will it fulfill? Quantify the positive economic impact of the investment. Why is this a better alternative then s bond? Will it help eleviate Sunday night podmwrr outages on Sunday nights at 10pm?
How is it administered? Where do the administrative costs come from? How does it correlate with the TRT and TRCC tax? How does it benefit the private and non-profit entities? What is the process to apply for funding for the individual sites? Who are the stakeholders behind the proposal?
Some questions I thought of are: Who determines where the money goes? Will all Recreation, Arts and Parks benefit equally from this tax? Will this really be a 10 year tax, or will it need to continue after 10 years? What impact will this tax have on our economy? Will it bring more people to southern Utah? How will this tax be different from where we get the money for improvements in these areas now? How can the community have a say in how the money is used and what improvements are wanted?
Are there other counties that have implemented this tax? If so, how well has it served them? Will there be administrative salaries? If so, how much of the new found tax money go to pay their salaries? Is this being purposed because there is a pipe line of projects the county would like to fulfill to better attract tourism? Will this cause original taxes to increase? Over the 10 year purposed tax how much revenue is anticipated to be received because of the new tax?
What are the direct benefits vs. the cost of finding 2.2 million annually? Will the tax increase be so substantial as to negatively affect certain demographics in the area?
To be honest, this was the first I had heard of the proposed tax. Ironically, I was at a luncheon today where the mayor outlined it. Nothing more than was in your link. My first question I guess, is where exactly will the funds be spent. I'm not too paranoid about this. No body is going to be getting filthy rich from 2.2 million but even though it is a small town proposal, and not a pork-filled Washington bill, I would still like to know how the money will be allocated. This is something that we often do not know fully with other taxes. When they say "arts" what do they mean? Isn't the arts festival already enough? Will the money be used to bring in other events that will in turn increase the city's or will it be used to build and or maintain parks which all of us will enjoy? Is this designed more to attract tourists or for our benefit here at home? Secondly, where has the money been coming from all along? How have we been paying for all the parks, bike trails, fields, etc..? I'm not sure I see the advantages to adding yet another tax. I would have to have it proven to me that this additional tax is necessary and vital and that I will somehow personally benefit from it. I mean, it's not going to break the bank but I would still like to know some more specifics before I vote for something. I wonder if we will ever get that or if we will receive generalities and vague explanations.
How does this correlate with the TRT and TRCC tax? How are the 7 members of the proposed panel and other administrative costs paid? What is the degree of difficulty for the different entities to apply for funds? How are the affiliated private and non-profit groups going to benefit? Who are the stakeholders?
OK I'll admit I had to look up what its about, with the word rap in it you never know. I would ask if this tax has been implemented any where else and if so where and would want to get documentation on those. I would also want more information on this proposed committee, what will be the process of creating it? Where will the members be recruited from?
I don't think that it will be a bad thing. Like Allen Gardner said on third of the money will come form people spending money from outside the county. I'm not financial genius but 1 cent out of every 10$ spent doesn't sound like that much to me. I also have taken advantage for years of the city complex's such as the canyons softball fields and other places like the new main street park downtown. If we could build more things like that with the money then I'd say its a good idea.
First off, is it REALLY only $.01 out of every $10? Is it REALLY only going to last for 10 years? The big question for me is who gets to decide where the money goes? Does the public get to vote on it or is it going to be decided behind closed doors? Will the money be used to improve older areas or only be used to create more new parks and recreation areas? Finally, is it going to be used for public areas or private where you need to be a "member" to make use of the facilities. Some people enjoy going to plays and other activities like that. Others really just want to jump on their bike and be able to ride on that nice bike trail. If the money is coming from the public, it makes sense to me that the cash flow should be used to create things that everyone can enjoy.
I find it interesting that there can be so many different opinions and views on this topic. There are some people who see no flaws and support this tax 100%, then there are others who are just as opposed to it and can find a million flaws in it. It's interesting how people can see one side so clearly and another side so blindly.
Why do you support it? Why should I support it? How does it benefit me as a resident of Washington County?
ReplyDeleteWill sales tax increase? If not the funds that will be taken 1/10th of 1% what are the funds being taken away from? Once the funds are given to the non profits who then determines what the funds are used for? Are the funds just going to pad the CEO's salary package, how much of the funds will actually go for the cause? What future benefits will the community receive from this tax? (Do you expect to see an increase in visitors to St. George because arts and rec are stronger?) Is it our responsibility as a community to really make sure that a non profit is surviving or thriving unless we chose to personally support the non profit ourselves? Or is it the responsibility of the non profit (since they are receiving funds from those who live in the community) to support and help the community they are in?
ReplyDeleteThese are a few questions that came to mind for me;
ReplyDeleteWhere has a RAP Tax been implemented in the past?
What types of projects were funded from the tax?
What impact did the projects have on the communities?
What was the outcome, positive or negative, on the communities affected?
What was the attitude of the residents and visitors toward this tax?
What types of project could be built or improved in our area with such a tax?
How would these projects improve the quality of life in our area?
Would these projects have a positive impact economically on our area in the future?
What are our current tax appropriations not covering adequately? David Clark states "I challenge anybody in this room to think about the taxes that you've been paying and consider how many of those you have had a say in what the rate is and what it is being spent for." Is this a valid reason to vote for this proposed RAP tax initiative because we would have a say?
ReplyDeleteIf the RAP tax is passed, will a portion of the funds be allocated for administrative and an advisory board and is so, what percentage? Due to the recession seven years ago, Washington County Arts Council put a hold on their original idea to implement a recreation and arts tax. What has improved since then to justify passing the RAP tax? Dian R. Robinson
Why hasn't the Washington County area adopted this tax prior to now? What has been stopping them?
ReplyDeletealso:
What are the most urgent recreational projects that each town or city is looking to get funded and why is this the best way to make that happen?
What specific projects or deficits will it fulfill? Quantify the positive economic impact of the investment. Why is this a better alternative then s bond? Will it help eleviate Sunday night podmwrr outages on Sunday nights at 10pm?
ReplyDeleteTyping by candlelight, I see.
DeleteHow is it administered? Where do the administrative costs come from? How does it correlate with the TRT and TRCC tax? How does it benefit the private and non-profit entities? What is the process to apply for funding for the individual sites? Who are the stakeholders behind the proposal?
ReplyDeleteSome questions I thought of are:
ReplyDeleteWho determines where the money goes?
Will all Recreation, Arts and Parks benefit equally from this tax?
Will this really be a 10 year tax, or will it need to continue after 10 years?
What impact will this tax have on our economy?
Will it bring more people to southern Utah?
How will this tax be different from where we get the money for improvements in these areas now?
How can the community have a say in how the money is used and what improvements are wanted?
Are there other counties that have implemented this tax?
ReplyDeleteIf so, how well has it served them?
Will there be administrative salaries?
If so, how much of the new found tax money go to pay their salaries?
Is this being purposed because there is a pipe line of projects the county would like to fulfill to better attract tourism?
Will this cause original taxes to increase?
Over the 10 year purposed tax how much revenue is anticipated to be received because of the new tax?
What are the direct benefits vs. the cost of finding 2.2 million annually? Will the tax increase be so substantial as to negatively affect certain demographics in the area?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, this was the first I had heard of the proposed tax. Ironically, I was at a luncheon today where the mayor outlined it. Nothing more than was in your link. My first question I guess, is where exactly will the funds be spent. I'm not too paranoid about this. No body is going to be getting filthy rich from 2.2 million but even though it is a small town proposal, and not a pork-filled Washington bill, I would still like to know how the money will be allocated. This is something that we often do not know fully with other taxes.
ReplyDeleteWhen they say "arts" what do they mean? Isn't the arts festival already enough? Will the money be used to bring in other events that will in turn increase the city's or will it be used to build and or maintain parks which all of us will enjoy? Is this designed more to attract tourists or for our benefit here at home? Secondly, where has the money been coming from all along? How have we been paying for all the parks, bike trails, fields, etc..? I'm not sure I see the advantages to adding yet another tax. I would have to have it proven to me that this additional tax is necessary and vital and that I will somehow personally benefit from it. I mean, it's not going to break the bank but I would still like to know some more specifics before I vote for something. I wonder if we will ever get that or if we will receive generalities and vague explanations.
How does this correlate with the TRT and TRCC tax? How are the 7 members of the proposed panel and other administrative costs paid? What is the degree of difficulty for the different entities to apply for funds? How are the affiliated private and non-profit groups going to benefit? Who are the stakeholders?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOK I'll admit I had to look up what its about, with the word rap in it you never know. I would ask if this tax has been implemented any where else and if so where and would want to get documentation on those. I would also want more information on this proposed committee, what will be the process of creating it? Where will the members be recruited from?
ReplyDeleteI don't think that it will be a bad thing. Like Allen Gardner said on third of the money will come form people spending money from outside the county. I'm not financial genius but 1 cent out of every 10$ spent doesn't sound like that much to me. I also have taken advantage for years of the city complex's such as the canyons softball fields and other places like the new main street park downtown. If we could build more things like that with the money then I'd say its a good idea.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, is it REALLY only $.01 out of every $10?
ReplyDeleteIs it REALLY only going to last for 10 years?
The big question for me is who gets to decide where the money goes? Does the public get to vote on it or is it going to be decided behind closed doors?
Will the money be used to improve older areas or only be used to create more new parks and recreation areas?
Finally, is it going to be used for public areas or private where you need to be a "member" to make use of the facilities.
Some people enjoy going to plays and other activities like that. Others really just want to jump on their bike and be able to ride on that nice bike trail. If the money is coming from the public, it makes sense to me that the cash flow should be used to create things that everyone can enjoy.
Have any other communities implemented a tax similar to this and what can we learn from them?
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that there can be so many different opinions and views on this topic. There are some people who see no flaws and support this tax 100%, then there are others who are just as opposed to it and can find a million flaws in it. It's interesting how people can see one side so clearly and another side so blindly.
ReplyDelete