Weber County outlines RAP easy grants; program has funded about $79 million over two decades

Weber County officials described the county’s Recreation, Arts, Museums and Parks (RAP) tax and a small-grants program designed to help community groups pay for parks and cultural projects.

Kevin Burns, a RAP program representative, told the commission that the citizen-approved sales tax — placed on the ballot every 10 years — has “distributed close to $79 million” to benefit recreation, arts, museums and parks in Weber County over roughly 22 years. He said the county’s easy grants are intended to be “a little easier to obtain,” with awards of up to $3,500 for smaller projects or organizations just starting the RAP process.

A meeting participant asked whether the awards were spread across the county. Burns said the recent round funded projects in multiple areas, including Ogden Valley, Ogden City, Roy and Washington Terrace. He and other speakers emphasized that the RAP levy is funded by sales tax — “one penny for every $10 spent” — and is not a property tax. Burns added that a significant portion of sales-tax revenue comes from out-of-area spending at restaurants and other businesses.

Commission staff framed the presentation as background for an agenda item about approving easy grants from the RAP board. The transcript records the program explanation and geographic distribution of awards but does not record a formal vote on the agenda item.

The discussion highlighted the RAP program’s role in supporting community infrastructure, particularly smaller projects that may not qualify for larger awards. County officials invited residents and organizations with questions to contact county commissioners for more information.