ST. GEORGE — Washington County residents are invited to attend a public meeting Thursday regarding the proposed recreation, arts and parks, or RAP, tax, which will come before Washington County voters in November.
The event, called “The Inauguration of RAP,” will take place Thursday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Arts Center Building, 86 S. Main St., third floor, in St. George. County residents are invited to come show their support for the RAP tax and join in the conversation about it.
If passed, the RAP tax will make funding available for recreation and art projects. It will also ensure that cities work together with the county to improve recreation, arts and parks throughout Washington County, according to a press release from the RAP Community Committee.
An Interlocal Cooperation Agreement has been presented to Washington County municipalities requesting support of the RAP tax, which is being placed on the Nov. 4 ballot. This preliminary resolution already has the endorsement of more than three-fourths of the Washington County communities, according to the press release.
If the initiative is passed on Nov. 4, distribution of funds will commence in April 2015 as follows:
- 15 percent appropriated for 501(c)(3) cultural organizations through an application process
- 85 percent appropriated for recreation and parks based on the following distribution: 67 percent (of 85 percent) apportioned among parties based on population; 33 percent (of 85 percent) apportioned among parties based on point of sale. This includes unincorporated areas of Washington County.
It is anticipated that annual revenues of $2.2 million will be generated through the RAP tax. This amounts to one penny of every $10 spent by Washington County residents — a tax rate of 1/10th of 1 percent. Presently in Washington County, one penny out of every three pennies collected is from a non-Washington County resident.
The RAP tax will provide funding for a diverse mix of recreational opportunities and artistic endeavors to enhance quality of life, support health and well-being, and promote sustainable business and tourism throughout Washington County.
Submitted by RAP Community Committee
Event details and resources
- What: Inauguration of RAP
- When: Thursday, Sept. 25, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Where: Arts Center Building, 86 S. Main St., third Floor, St. George
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- Pike addresses state of city, future initiatives
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I believe that St. George has outstanding park and recreational facilities. My family appreciates and uses them. These facilities have been funded by existing sales and property taxes. I see no reason to increase taxes, even by a modest amount, to add even more to what is already being done nicely with the current tax base. Instead, this looks like a backdoor way to fund “cultural organizations” that curry favor with our elected officials. The “Interlocal Cooperation Agreement” can be amended by the same officials who drafted it: expect them to increase the percentage going to the theater and artists while cutting back on park funding. Modern theater and art is filled with intentionally controversial themes. Should we be supporting this with tax dollars? Let those wishing to support “cultural organizations” do so by buying tickets.
People want to see the theater let them pay for it because I won’t. I’m voting no same old underhanded politics by the city council just different names is all
No. NO. NO, NO, NO. !@#$%^&* NO! Any other questions? I will make it my mission in life to see that every single elected person that supports this (or doesn’t oppose it) is fired at all future elections.
If I understand this right, every RAP that occurs in Washington county, doesn’t matter if your white, black or beaner, and the person is arrested for making bad music, that person is sentenced to then be in a play or musical of their choice. Therefore they become reconnected with civilization thus be coming more civilized. Creating the effects on society in a positive way bringing music song dace and theater back in to the community bring joy , happiness smiles and love. That’s all positive things the only draw back I can see there is a good possibility that as these folks work around this Industry they themselves will become happy and gay. Then fall back into the bad habit of RAP. Thus they would make bad gay rap. Nothing worse I mean there is nothing worse that happy Gay Rapper. No matter what color. We’ll maybe a women rapper that spits out rap with no intelligent meaning. Everyone knows if a women is rapping it’s called complaining and there’s only one thing a women should do with her mouth open and that’s not to sing whistle or rap.
Less Socialism in our lives. Why does government have to provide everything instead of the city promoting private enterprise?