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County restaurant tax benefits towns, made Nibley's Bowery possible By
Natalie Larson
Every weekend during the summer a crowd gathers at Elkhorn Park in Nibley. People come to relax, to enjoy each other's company and to spend time outside in the Bowery that was completed 11 months ago, said City Recorder and Assistant Administrator Larry Anhder. If it weren't for the County Restaurant Tax, this refuge wouldn't have been possible for the city to afford, Anhder said. Eighty percent of the funding for the Bowery, in the park at 750 W. 2600 South, came from the tax, Anhder said. The facility includes a covered picnic area, restrooms and a parking lot. "We've had a lot of positive comments about it from people," Anhder said. The tax was established about eight years ago, Anhder said. It increases the sales tax on prepared food in restaurants by 1 percent. This brings in an average of $500,000 a year. "The restaurants were resistant at first," Anhder said, "but they've gotten more positive about it." Anhder said the cities in the county apply for the money, and it is distributed among them for tourism, recreational and cultural purposes. He said they usually apply in March and receive the money by June. The tax was originally started in the Salt Lake County to raise money for the Salt Palace, Anhder said. Anhder said there is another tax on the books that has also passed the Salt Lake County. It's called the ZAP Tax. It can be used for zoos, arts and parks. Salt Lake County has been using the tax to make improvements since the voters passed the increase in 1996. According to its home page, Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City received funding from the tax beginning in 1997. This proposed tax would take a general vote instead of just a County Council vote like the Restaurant Tax, Anhder said. It would increase sales tax by 0.01 percent. According to Anhder, the next project the city would like to do with the Restaurant Tax money is to make improvements at the Nibley City Park on 3200 South St. The Bowery can be reserved through the City Office Building for family reunions and other events, Anhder said. For reservations, call 752-0431.
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