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SALT LAKE CITY — It ain't over until it's over.
In Salt Lake County, the vote count over Proposition 1 remains separated by about 2 percent, with some 24,000 ballots yet to be counted, county election officials said Wednesday.
State estimates say nearly $59 million in tax revenues could be generated in Salt Lake County for local transportation projects if Proposition 1 ultimately passes.
"We're still holding out hope for Salt Lake County," said Abby Albrecht, director of the Utah Transportation Coalition, which backed Proposition 1. "The fat lady hasn't sung."
But Rep. Johnny Anderson, R-Taylorsville, sponsor of HB362, said he doubts the outcome in Salt Lake County will change much once the final votes are tallied and the vote is canvassed on Nov. 17.
Anderson said the apparent defeat in Salt Lake County was likely the result of the public's perception of the Utah Transit Authority, which would receive a sizable share of tax revenues under the language of Proposition 1.
Of the new tax money, 40 percent will go to UTA in counties that approved the sales tax increase and are served by the public transportation agency.
"It's obvious it kind of comes down to people's perception of UTA. I do believe they're working to change that, but it's obviously going to take a little more time," Anderson said.
UTA had come under fire for high executive pay and bonuses, some of which were which were as high as $30,000 apiece. Late last month, UTA executives announced they would forgo bonuses for the next two years for the benefit of the agency.
If Proposition 1 is defeated this year, Anderson said he believes UTA is taking steps to build public confidence and its trustees are on track to select a new general manager to successfully guide its future.
"They only have to convince 1,000 people," Anderson said of the vote difference.
Albrecht said concerns about UTA's public image affecting the vote are debatable considering voters in three large counties served by the agency — Davis, Weber and Tooele — approved Proposition 1.
UTA will move ahead with county-specific projects funded by the sales tax increase, which in some cases will mean higher frequency of bus service, she said.
Statewide, 10 counties approved Proposition 1, many of them rural counties, where the revenues will provide city and county officials more options for transportation improvements.
In Duchesne County, the sales tax increase is expected to raise some $2.4 million, according to state estimates. San Juan County could raise more than $500,000, Albrecht said.
In rapidly growing Utah County, however, voters rejected the tax increase, which could have generated more than $18 million for local projects.
That was a discouraging outcome, Anderson said, because residents of Utah County frequently testify to state lawmakers about their dire transportation needs yet rejected the opportunity to raise additional revenue for sorely needed local improvements.
HB362 also imposed a 5 cent per gallon fuel tax increase, the first since 1997, to raise more revenue for statewide transportation projects. That goes into effect in January. The legislation also allowed the local option sales tax increase for transportation projects if approved by county voters.
Proposition 1 was not on the ballot in 12 counties, but it could be in the future if their county councils or commissions vote to put the issue before voters. Among the 17 counties that voted Tuesday on Proposition 1, it failed in six and the outcome in Salt Lake County has yet to be determined. The state election website has links to each Utah county that had the issue on its ballots.
Albrecht said Utahns need to decide what they want the Salt Lake Valley to look like in the future. To stay ahead of gridlock, improve air quality and reduce wear and tear on vehicles, public transportation needs to be a high priority.
"We really need to step back as citizens of the state and decide what we want this valley to look like. We're going to come to a brutal realization that public transit has to be a component. It must," Albrecht said.
"We don't want to be another Philadelphia, for sure. The quality of life that we enjoy now, we need to plan and pay for now for the future." Email: marjorie@deseretnews.com
