1 / 2

The Mapleton City Park sign is pictured Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. City leaders are seeking applicants to serve on the new RAP Advisory Committee.

Curtis Booker Daily Herald

2 / 2

The entrance to Patriot Park in Saratoga Springs is shown Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

❮ ❯

With residents in Mapleton City voting in favor of a RAP tax to fund recreation, arts and parks projects during the general election last November, city officials are now looking for interested citizens who want to have a role in selecting which qualifying projects will be funded.

Applications are being sought to serve on the city’s soon-to-be-formed RAP Advisory Committee.

According to the city’s website, the advisory committee will consist of one City Council member, the Parks and Recreation Department director and five Mapleton residents, who will be chosen from the collection of applications.

The committee will review RAP grant applications and serve as a recommending body to the City Council.

City Council members will take the committee’s recommendations into consideration before ultimately making the call on which projects to fund, though public feedback also will be taken into account.

The RAP Tax is a 0.1% sales tax on all eligible purchases made within Mapleton. Essentially, for every $10 spent in the city, 1 cent will be collected for the city’s recreation, arts and parks programs.

Mapleton’s RAP tax could be used to provide grants for municipal and nonprofit-led programs, funding for city projects like improving parks, trails and playing fields, as well as the development of future recreational amenities.

“This committee will play a key role in reviewing project proposals and making recommendations that align with community needs and priorities,” said Parks and Recreation Director Logan Miner. “We are committed to a transparent selection process, one that ensures all voices are heard and that projects reflect the diverse interests of Mapleton residents.”

Miner said citizens with a variety of backgrounds, experience and interests are encouraged to apply to ensure a well-rounded group of perspectives.

The Utah State Tax Commission will start collecting this tax beginning in April, and city leaders estimate the newly installed tax to generate an additional $75,000-$125,000 each year.

Miner says the RAP tax is an investment in the future of the Mapleton because it will boost the programs and attractions that make the city a great place to live.

“Whether it’s improving our trails, expanding recreational opportunities or supporting our community events, this funding will strengthen our community for years to come,” Miner said. “We look forward to the work ahead and encourage residents to stay engaged in this process. Together, we can build a future that honors our city’s heritage while expanding opportunities for all.”

Applications for the new RAP Advisory Committee are now open and will be accepted through March 5. The new committee members will be appointed by the mayor and City Council on March 19.

Saratoga Springs residents also voted to create a 0.1% RAP tax during the general election, but the city has not yet revealed plans to create a similar committee.

Saratoga Springs spokeswoman AnnElise Harrison said the city is still many months away from collecting money on the tax, and they are exploring the processes other cities with RAP taxes have established for allocating funds.

“We’re just kind of taking our time to, you know, study what other cities have done and ensure that we set it up in the right way for our residents,” she told the Daily Herald.

Multiple cities in Utah County such as Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Springville and others, already have similar taxes in place that help generate monies for the arts, as well as recreation and parks.

Saratoga Springs hasn’t publicly made any estimate about how much money their city might see from the RAP tax, but Harrison said city officials should have a better picture of what sort of impacts the funds will have once they begin to review next year’s budget later this year.