Summary of the August 18 Council Meetings

In the Work Session

Continuing discussion on User Fees:
The Council has been reviewing the user fees in Provo City in order to discuss the purpose and necessity of each fee. The goal is to keep the fees fair and competitive while also being cost-effective. While some fees may cover all the costs associated with a service or use, others do not and the City must decide whether the fee needs to change, be subsidized, or some other option considered.

At this Work Session, the airport and the library presented information about their various user fees. The airport showed a comparison of their rates with those of other municipal airports. The library explained the reasoning behind the rates they charge to rent rooms and the most recent change to rental rates made in January of this year. Council Members referred these items to the Budget Committee for further review and the Committee will return to a future Work Session to give their recommendations.


The Council also:

• Discussed the next steps for the Recreation, Arts, and Parks (RAP) sales tax option
• Discussed policy direction regarding private solar energy generation within the city
• Discussed a resolution for an interlocal agreement regarding the Everbridge Mass Notification System. This will be formally heard at a future Council Meeting.
• Heard a report from the Sustainability Committee
• Discussed a proposed new Egress Window Program presented by the Redevelopment Agency to improve the safety and livability of certain homes through the installation of egress windows. This would encourage large families to stay in Provo by helping improve and preserve the housing stock within the city as well as encouraging residents to maintain and upgrade their homes.
• Continued a report on the Council's communication and outreach initiatives. This will now be heard at the September 1 Work Meeting.

In the Formal Meeting

RAP Tax:
Council Members voted 5-0, with two abstentions, to approve the resolution to place the recreation, arts, and parks (RAP) tax on the November ballot. This is a local option sales tax of 0.1% (one cent for every ten dollars spent in Provo) that would be used for projects like improvements to existing trails, pathways, and trailheads; park completion projects; existing facility upgrades; arts expansion; and possible future projects. This will be in front of Provo voters on November 3, 2015. If approved, it would be in effect for 10 years and then voters would decide whether or not to renew it.



The Council also:

• Heard a presentation by David and Ryley Kennard on the Provo River cleanup day

This is a general summary of the Council's meetings. For a more detailed agenda and minutes, please visit our public documents site: http://publicdocuments.provo.org/sirepub/meet.aspx
Video recordings:  Work Meeting and Council Meeting


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