Green River holds public hearing on reauthorizing RAP tax; city says pamphlet and audit records coming

Green River held a public hearing Oct. 14 on Proposition 9, a proposal to reauthorize the city's recreation, arts and parks (RAP) tax for another term. Mayor and staff explained that state rules require the hearing to put the measure on the ballot and that the tax has historically funded park maintenance, recreation programs and some arts-related costs.

Residents asked what the RAP tax pays for and whether the city will publish a spending record. The mayor said staff are preparing a pamphlet and an online breakdown showing major categories of spending rather than item-by-item transactions. City officials said the tax is governed by state rules and audited annually; the state auditor may scrutinize allocations more closely if the reauthorization passes.

Council and staff listed past uses that were charged to the RAP fund, including resurfacing courts at city parks, splash-pad repairs, lifeguard staffing, tires for a recreation van, Christmas decorations in the park and a portable sound system for events. Officials reiterated that expenditures must be tied to recreation, arts or parks and that allowable uses changed over time so maintenance and payroll costs have been included in more recent years.

On revenue, city staff estimated the RAP tax produces about $40,000 per year on average, with a range cited between roughly $30,000 and $50,000 depending on tourism and sales. The mayor described the tax rate as "a 0.1% tax — for every $10 you spend, a penny comes in." Several residents urged the council to show a clear accounting of how the fund was spent over the previous eight years.

No council vote on reauthorization occurred at the meeting beyond opening and later closing the required public hearing. The hearing was opened by motion and closed unanimously; the council said it will provide the spending summary to the public before voters decide on the ballot measure.