The percentage for arts first came up when the administration team came back from Colorado and saw what is being done there and other places, according to council chairman David Sewell.

What the council is considering is that any city department that undertakes a capital project, 1% of the capital project funds be used for public art — thus enhancing and adding to the RAP Tax art support, according Isaac Paxman, Provo’s deputy mayor.

Revenues from the RAP Tax are set aside for Recreation, Arts and Parks. However, the Arts received only about 12% of the revenues.

Money from the RAP Tax comes from 0.01% out of $10 of sales tax revenue. The RAP Tax was voted in November of 2015. Since then, it has grown incrementally as sales tax revenues has grown.

Even COVID-19, which the city expected to drop sales tax by up to 20%, did not. For the 2020-2021 budget year Rap Tax revenues were at $1,647,562.

While noting the council needs to be careful how they spend public money, Councilman David Shipley said, “art pieces make a significant difference in front of buildings.”

While it appears the majority of the council approves of such a program, the percentage for art idea was pushed to the side as discussion focused on one major art piece.

That project is a proposed art/water feature for the main plaza in front of the new city hall building.

Several residents had requested during town hall meetings that some visual feature be added to the new plaza. However, city hall project manager Scott Henderson said cost overruns during construction had put the art feature nearly out of reach.

What is now being proposed is a water wall with the Provo City logo projected behind the water and is backlit at night.

“The water wall would have an evening background projection and is a third of the cost of other water features,” Henderson said.

The cost would be about $600,000. Right now, Henderson said they would need to find $400,000 to complete the project. The splash pad across the street from city hall at Pioneer Park cost nearly $1 million to install and run.

“This type of addition adds to the vibrancy of not only city hall but the entire city,” Henderson said. “The Arts Council was very excited about it.”

Councilwoman Shannon Ellsworth was not as enthusiastic about the amount of money need for a water feature that, in her words, made the city entrance look like the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

“I’m not in favor of the water wall and the money,” Ellsworth said. “We’re trying to look like the Bellagio and $600,000 is too much. And a water feature when we’re in a drought. It feels spendy, it feels redundant.”

Ellsworth suggested the city could find multiple pieces of art that together would cost less than the water wall feature.

Councilman Bill Fillmore disagreed, saying, “I’m in favor of the water feature. It finishes off the building nicely.”

Some concern about the use of water was put to rest when Shipley noted, “it is a recirculating water feature. The water usage is not wasteful.”

While a few of his colleagues were concerned how much space the feature would take up on the plaza or the water noise, Shipley added, “This element and footprint leaves a lot of room on the plaza.”

The plaza is the main entrance into the building and is to be used for public gatherings — including protests if any should arise.

Councilman David Harding said he was concerned the water feature with the Provo branding might turn into a billboard or marquee rather than an art piece.

The council voted 6-1, with Ellsworth the lone no vote with intent for staff to bring an appropriation to the Council for formal consideration. Some of the council say they are as yet undecided whether to proceed with the water feature or not.

Ellsworth still believes that water wall was not well vetted and the council should do more homework to get their money’s worth. The council is still considering options.

In speaking for the art project David Sewell, council chairman noted, “It will be iconic for the city.”

The council said they would return later to discuss and vote on the percentage art project plan.