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Provo presenters outline projects funded by RAP tax as city considers renewal
Summary
Provo Parks and the Covey Center described how the local RAP (recreation, arts and parks) tax has funded parks, trails and arts programs, noting roughly $2 million in annual local revenue leveraged into tens of millions in outside grants; presenters urged voters to consider renewing the tax on the ballot.
Provo Parks officials and Covey Center staff told Neighborhood District 4 residents that the local RAP tax has funded a range of parks, trails and arts projects and that voters will see a renewal question in an upcoming election.
John Bunderson, a parks project manager, described the RAP tax as a local‑option sales tax and said its statutory rate is "one‑tenth of 1%." He told the audience the city currently collects "approximately $2,000,000 at this point" each year in RAP revenue and uses planning documents and public input to prioritize projects.
Bunderson highlighted several projects paid in whole or in part with RAP and matching grants: an adaptive play area near the recreation center on 500 North built with Community Development Block Grant and RAP funds; replacement tennis and new pickleball courts and year‑round restrooms at Rotary Park; multi‑year Pearl River Trail upgrades that were supplemented by about $8,700,000 in grants to add to roughly $3,700,000 in local funding; and investments at EPIC Sports Park and the Provo River Delta Gateway Park.
Covey Center representatives said capital improvements supported by RAP — such as replacing stage lighting and an HVAC system — have lowered annual operating costs (the HVAC replacement was described as producing roughly $25,000 in annual savings) and keep the venue competitive. The center said about 70% of its patrons come from outside Provo, bringing visitor dollars that contribute to local RAP revenue.
Speakers emphasized that RAP funds are often used to leverage outside grants. Gary Winterton, who introduced the presentation, said the city’s RAP program had used local dollars to secure what presenters described as roughly $26,000,000 in outside funding over recent years, "doubl[ing] the effect of our local funds." He asked neighborhood leaders to support a ballot continuation that would keep funding for facility upgrades, arts prioritization, trails and smaller capital projects.
The presentation closed with staff directing residents to online project pages and scheduled public meetings for more detailed timing and questions about specific projects. The Parks team offered to stay for questions after the meeting.
