Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Taxes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Green River holds public hearing on Proposition 9 to reauthorize RAP tax amid calls for clearer spending records
Summary
Residents at the Oct. 14 council meeting asked for an eight‑year spending breakdown and clearer public information as the city moves to place Proposition 9 (reauthorizing the recreation, arts and parks — RAP — tax) on the ballot; staff said a pamphlet and online breakdown will be published and noted state audits and grant rules govern allowable uses.
The Green River City Council opened a public hearing Oct. 14 to gather testimony ahead of placing Proposition 9, a reauthorization of the recreation, arts and parks (RAP) tax, on the municipal ballot. City staff said state rules limit the tax to projects and expenses tied to recreation, arts and parks and that recent state changes broadened allowable uses to include wages and maintenance.
Several residents asked for a full accounting of how the city spent RAP tax revenue during the previous authorization. “So last month, I asked for the record on what the city spent all of the tax on. So do you have that?” a resident said, requesting multi‑year detail. Staff responded that the city will publish a pamphlet and provide an accessible online breakdown that groups expenditures by category rather than line‑item receipts.
Councilors and staff gave examples of prior RAP spending that residents raised in the hearing: resurfacing a basketball/tennis court, maintenance and parts for park equipment, lifeguard payroll and minor purchases for park programming (tires and maintenance for a recreation van, a sound system, Christmas decorations and museum items such as HVAC work). Council staff said some wages for a public‑works employee who primarily maintains parks had been charged to RAP because a substantial portion of that employee’s duties were park maintenance.
A resident asked whether RAP allocations are approved by council individually or included in the budget. Staff answered that routine RAP‑designated expenses are accounted for in the RAP portion of the budget and reviewed during the budget process; specific capital projects funded with RAP dollars have at times been brought forward for separate council votes.
On oversight, staff said the state auditor reviews special‑purpose tax spending during audits and that reauthorization would invite closer scrutiny. Staff estimated the RAP tax brings roughly $30,000–$50,000 annually to the city (around $40,000 most years), and noted the tax rate is 0.1%.
Speakers offered ideas for RAP‑funded arts and revenue‑generating programs, including summer concerts and art installations that could draw visitors and vendors. Councilors said they will include spending examples and comparative pamphlets from neighboring cities to help voters decide.
The public hearing closed after additional comment and a unanimous council motion to return to regular session. The council did not take a policy vote on reauthorization at the meeting; the hearing record will be used in the process to place Proposition 9 on the ballot.
