Orem council votes 6-0 to reauthorize the CARE tax for 10 years
December 29, 2023, 12:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 56 North State Street, Orem
At a noon special session, the Orem City Council voted 6-0 to adopt the ordinance reauthorizing the Cultural Arts and Recreation Enrichment (CARE) tax for 10 years, following voter approval in November 2023 by about 65 percent. Mayor Young and Council Member Jeff Lambson attended by Zoom.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Orem's mayor is a voting member of the seven-member council. The minutes count the six council members in each tally and record the mayor's vote beside it, so a council vote of 6-0 with the mayor voting yes is 7-0 with the mayor.
In brief
1 item came up for a decision or discussion: 1 approved.
This write-up links 3 source documents and the meeting video.
6 members were present and 1 absent (Council Member Tom Macdonald).
The previous City Council meeting was on December 12, 2023: Orem council approves Meadow Gold lawsuit settlement 4-3 and rezones behavioral hospital site
The next one was on January 9, 2024: Orem council seats new members, appoints Millett to Utah Lake Authority and hears station-area plan options
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Ordinance reauthorizing the CARE tax | Approved · 6-0 with the mayor |
Agenda, item by item
Item Sched. · Taxes and fees
Ordinance reauthorizing the CARE tax
Approved · 6-0 with the mayor
City Attorney Steve Earl said the ordinance is the final step to extend the CARE tax for 10 years after voters approved it in November 2023 by about 65 percent yes to 35 percent no. Council Member Terry Peterson said he does not like taxes but noted that shoppers from other cities help pay it. Mayor Young said the council had added no new taxes in two years and that this is a renewal. Council Members Debby Lauret, LaNae Millett, Jeff Lambson and David Spencer spoke in support, citing the arts, recreation and the sense of community.
- FeeAmount not given