He and County Commissioners Louenda Downs and John Petroff met with the Davis County Clipper Editorial Board, here.
“We feel very strongly it adds to the overall viability, vitality and provides a wider scope to quality of life” in the county, Millburn said.
As they reiterated, it will be paid for in part by county tourism and culture sales tax dollars – not any property taxes.
That $2 million will be spread over seven years, with the first $800,000 to be paid as soon as ground is broken for the facility, and $171,429 to be paid yearly over seven years totaling the remaining $1.2 million. The facility will be built in Centerville. Donors are being sought for naming rights and other funds, with backers hoping ground can be broken in late spring or early summer for the $14 million facility.
“We looked from now to 10 years out, at what funds we felt we could appropriate,” without disrupting any county programs and not requiring any property tax increase, said County Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings.
“The first payment of $800,000 comes through the tourism tax fund balance. The other payments are based on the annual appropriation at budget time if the funds are available,” he said.
Rodgers Memorial Theatre officials, in particular, have sought a new venue. But other groups are also very involved and participating in the project, which is also being funded by RAP taxes (recreation, arts and parks) from sales taxes generated in Bountiful and Centerville.
“One component we wanted to see is a black box, and were hoping by our participation to secure that,” said Commissioner Downs.
“More smaller activities can be held in a box theater,” said Petroff.
“It goes back to economic development, and for whom we are trying to build destination places and cultural events,” Downs said.
With construction of such a cultural draw, it’s anticipated restaurants and other businesses will locate nearby – similar to what happened when West Valley City’s E-Center opened some years ago.
“As we attract people for conferences, cultural events could be held in conjunction with that” at the new center, Commissioner Petroff said.
He cited the Management & Training Corporation headquarters, which will be near the performing arts center site.
An international business, it regularly draws employees from many areas for training.
“Meetings and cultural events could be scheduled around one another,” he said, adding to the experience for visitors to MTC training, he continued.
“This will more than pay back as a return on our investment (from the tourism cultural tax),” Downs predicted. “It’s not just sales taxes we want to generate, but to provide primary jobs, quality of life.”
“This wasn’t a decision made lightly,” Millburn said of the county’s involvement. “It was thoroughly researched, fully looked at, as far as land available, etc. It took some time to put forward.”
“It’s taxpayers money. We’re trying to be prudent, cautious and thorough,” Downs said.
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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