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Concertgoers sit on the lawn of the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem for Smash Mouth's concert on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Molly McCoy, Special to the Daily Herald

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New CARE tax logo for Orem City.

Courtesy Orem City

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Greg Bohman greets his coonhound Sadie Marie after coming back to camp where his wife, Bette, holds friend Kelly Lelegren's son, William, who is just a month old, at America's Freedom Festival's Colonial Heritage at SCERA Park in Orem on Saturday, July 5, 2014.

GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald file photo

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The Orem City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to put a question on November’s ballot asking for residents’ approval of another 10-year cycle of the CARE tax, which has boosted the city’s cultural and recreational facilities and programs for nearly 18 years.

While Mayor Dave Young and other council members spoke out during Tuesday’s meeting about having too many taxes, they were in agreement that the 0.01% levy, or one penny from each $10 spent in sales tax, is a good value on its return.

According to Pete Wolfley, Orem City’s communications manager, money from the tax would stay at its current 50-50 split between funding arts and recreation. If approved by voters, he said, it would remain in effect for the next 10 years.

“I am thankful for Orem’s CARE tax and the many opportunities that it gives the citizens of Orem to partake in our parks and recreation,” said Council person David Spencer, a liaison to the CARE Commission. “The arts have come alive with the CARE tax over the years and the SCERA (Center for the Arts) gives us wonderful entertainment that we can attend as families. I am grateful to be able to put this on the ballot again this year.”

It was noted that Orem residents are not the only shoppers that contribute to the CARE tax fund but also those from other places who shop or pay sales tax in Orem.

“CARE has been a great blessing to our city and shows the power of the penny,” said Jeff Lambson, another council liaison to the CARE Commission. “A number of nonprofit cultural arts organizations have benefited from the program, including a crown jewel of the city, the SCERA Center for the Arts. It also helps provide funding for recreational amenities and opportunities. CARE is a great way to enhance the arts and recreation opportunities here in Orem.”

This year, sales tax revenue gave the CARE tax fund more than $1 million to use among area nonprofits.

From small grants of up to $4,000 to large grants over $10,000, many nonprofit cultural arts groups have received funding from the CARE tax, including the ballet, symphony, choral groups and historic arts such as the yearly three-day Colonial Heritage Festival.

New parks, the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre and the Family Friendship Recreation Center as well as city sports programs are also supported by the CARE tax.

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