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Layton council approves sending RAM tax renewal question to county; council asks for data and wording change
Summary
The council approved staff’s request to forward intent to the Davis County Commission to place a Recreation, Arts, Museum and Parks (RAM) tax reapproval question on the ballot. Council members asked for a review of RAM outcomes and requested removal of a reference to 'operations' from the resolution to follow municipal ordinance.
Layton City staff asked the council to authorize submission of the city’s intent to the Davis County Commission to include an opinion question in this year’s election on reauthorizing the Recreation, Arts, Museum and Parks sales tax (commonly called the RAM or RAMP tax). The tax is a voter‑approved 0.1 percent sales‑tax designation that must be reapproved by voters every 10 years under state statute, staff said.
Why this matters: staff and council members said the levy has funded parks, recreation, museum and arts projects in Layton for the last decade and produces roughly $2 million a year in revenues. Council members said the funds are restricted to the four RAM categories and do not go into the general fund. Several council members asked staff to compile performance data showing what RAM has funded over the last 10 years and to report suggested changes to bylaws or program rules before a final ballot language decision.
Changes to the resolution and next steps
• Operations language removed: staff told the council that the draft resolution contained a phrase that referenced supporting operations, which city staff said is prohibited by the city’s municipal ordinance. Council members voted to transmit the intent with that word removed and to approve the resolution with that change.
• Data and commission review requested: several council members said they want to see a concise report from the RAM commission (for example: what the program funded, metrics for program performance, and comparisons to alternatives) before the city finalizes any campaign materials. Staff said a historical list of projects is already available on the city website and that more data will be provided as part of follow‑up work.
• Ballot process: staff said forwarding the city’s intent to the Davis County Commission initiates the process; final ballot language and timing will be handled through the county process and subsequent council actions.
Council discussion emphasized the tax’s role in accelerating parks and cultural projects without long‑term bonding by the city and noted that the RAMP revenue stream captures spending by visitors as well as residents. The council approved the consent motion that included the resolution forwarding intent to the county with the operations wording removed. No citizen referendum or additional public hearing was required at the city level to begin the county process, staff said.
