Resident-led RAP Tax board would guide funding decisions
Eagle Mountain City is anticipated to ask voters this November to consider adopting a Recreation, Arts, and Parks (RAP) Tax.
The RAP tax would not only generate funding for community quality of life enhancements but also create a new advisory board made up of local residents.
If approved, the RAP Tax would add one cent for every $10 spent on most retail purchases in Eagle Mountain. The City estimates the tax could generate approximately $600,000 in its first year, with future revenues expected to grow in step with the local economy. All funds would be dedicated to recreation, arts and parks improvements.
An element of Eagle Mountain’s proposal is the formation of a resident-led RAP Tax Advisory Board. This appointed group would be made up of individuals with a demonstrated interest in improving local recreational opportunities, supporting the arts, and enhancing public spaces.
“The creation of the RAP Tax Board is really about accountability,” said Tyler Maffitt, Communications Manager for Eagle Mountain City. “Residents who care deeply about Eagle Mountain’s outdoor spaces, youth sports, trails, cultural programs, and gathering places would have the opportunity to guide where these dollars go.”
The RAP Tax Advisory Board would regularly meet to review proposals and make recommendations to the Eagle Mountain City Council as part of the City’s regular budget process.
The City Council would retain final authority over spending, but with significant input from the board and the public.
“This board will help ensure the funding is community-driven, transparent, and tied to the values our residents hold,” Maffitt said. “The board’s role will be to elevate ideas that enhance Eagle Mountain for everyone.”
Other Utah cities have established similar boards to oversee RAP Tax allocations, ensuring funds stay focused on quality-of-life priorities without competing against other community needs. Neighboring communities like Saratoga Springs and Lehi already collect the RAP Tax and have used it to upgrade park facilities and support local events.
Maffitt emphasized that, if approved by voters, the RAP tax is not solely paid by residents.
“Anyone who shops here, whether they live in Eagle Mountain or are just visiting, contributes to the fund,” he said. “It’s a small amount per transaction, but when pooled together, it creates meaningful opportunities.”
Should voters approve the RAP Tax in November, the City plans to begin the board appointment process shortly afterward.
Residents interested in serving will be encouraged to apply through the City’s official boards and commissions application process.
More information, including a RAP Tax calculator and board structure details, is available at eaglemountain.gov/raptax.