Blanding voters decide whether to renew the city's parks and recreation sales tax

Blanding voters are deciding Tuesday whether to keep the city's one-tenth of 1% sales tax for parks and recreation for another 10 years. The question is City of Blanding Proposal 1 on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. ^[1][3]

The tax, often called a RAP (recreation, arts and parks) or ZAP tax, was first approved by Blanding voters in 2007. State law limits it to 10 years at a time, after which voters must reauthorize it. It works out to 1 cent on every $10 spent on taxable purchases in the city. ^[3]

A yes vote keeps the tax through 2036, and the city says the money can be used only for publicly owned or operated recreation facilities such as parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools and trails. Because the rate stays the same, the city's tax statement says approval would not raise Blanding's sales tax. A no vote lets the city's authority to levy the tax expire, lowers the city's sales tax rate by 0.1% and ends that dedicated money for parks and recreation. ^[3]

The city held the required public hearing on the proposal Oct. 13 before its council meeting. ^[2] Blanding's Election Day polling place is the Blanding Library, 25 West 300 South, open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can call the San Juan County Clerk's Office at 435-587-3223, extension 4, with questions. ^[1]