BOUNTIFUL -- Members of the Davis County Council of Governments voted last week to recommend that 60 percent of future transportation funds be used for highways, while 40 percent be allocated for mass transit.

But the recommendation came only after COG members and Wasatch Front Regional Council staff got an earful from Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson, complaining that Davis County residents would rather have light rail, than the proposed Bus Rapid Transit, which he described as "a sexy bus that tilts."

The COG meeting was held at the South Davis Recreation Center to allow North Davis mayors and other COG members the opportunity to see the new facility.

Johnson, who hasn't been shy about sharing his desire for light rail over BRT, said it's unfair that in Salt Lake County new light rail spurs are built whenever a need is determined, but in Davis County, no light rail has been built. "We pay for the system, but we get no benefit. Why do we have to plead for something Salt Lake County has an abundance of?"

While Johnson has no problem with the commuter rail being built through south Davis County, he doesn't believe residents of the five southern Davis County cities will use it.

"Our residents are not going to drive to 500 South to get on a train to go into Salt Lake City. It's great for you guys (referring to north Davis County). But it's not going to work for us. Salt Lake City is just too close."

Yet, Johnson said South Davis residents have funded commuter rail.

Wasatch Front's director, Chuck Chappell, told COG members they were bringing the Long Range Transportation Plan to COG now, "because we want to get an indication from you as elected officials, where you want the second one-half cent to go.

Bountiful city manager Tom Hardy, who was a guest at the meeting, requested that COG postpone its recommendation until they find out what the state legislature is budgeting for transportation.

But Chappell said he needed the recommendation now to begin planning. He explained that the recommendation is just to give to WFRC, and changes can be made in the future, but they need the recommendation to begin.

Because north Davis County has so many transportation needs on its east-west routes, Clinton Mayor Mitch Adams recommended a 70-30 or 65-35 split in favor of highways.

When the final vote was taken, the mayors recommended the 60-40 split, with three voting no.

mwilliams@davisclipper.com