Local Area And Real Estate News

 Park City and Summit County registered voters opt for taxes and bonds.             The November 2, 2010 election in Summit County, Utah drew a large number of voters for a non-presidential election year. Nearly 50% of the registered voters in Summit County (home of Park City) cast ballots in this year's election.          Two big initiatives on the ballot this year were the extension of the Recreation, Arts & Parks tax (RAP tax) and the Snyderville Basin Open Space and Trails Bond (Proposition 2). With the current economic situation the nation faces, it appeared as if initiatives that cost voters money would face strong opposition from voters. On the contrary both measures passed with overwhelming support.             The RAP tax which adds a one tenth of one percent tax on purchases made in Summit County received a positive voter endorsement of nearly 67%; keeping the tax for another 10 years. In the past 10 years the tax has generated more than $7 million which has gone to fund art, cultural and recreational activities in Park City and Summit County. Over half of the revenues generated by the tax have gone to support non-profit groups providing cultural activities such as the Egyptian Theatre, Park City Performing Arts Foundation, Kimball Art Center, Mountain Town Stages, Swaner EcoCenter and Utah Symphony and Opera with the remainder going to publicly owned recreational facilities like the Basin Recreation Fieldhouse, Park City Ice Arena and Oakley Recreation Complex.             Proposition 2 which asked voters to approve a general obligation bond of $20 million to go toward the acquisition of open space and non-motorized trails in the Snyderville Basin. The cost of the bond was estimated at $10.51 in property tax per year for each $100,000 of assessed value (about $70 per year for the next 20 years for the average home in the Snyderville Basin area of Park City, UT). Of the $20 million, $12 million is to be used for open space acquisition, and $8 million is to go to trails.             The passing of both of these ballot initiatives in the current economic climate points toward the commitment of Park City and Summit County, Utah's voters and residents to the lifestyle and values that make this a special place to live. For assistance in making Summit County and Park City your home, or home away from home, contact a real estate professional with the YouInParkCity.com Group at Keller Williams Park City Real Estate (888) 968-4672.