It is the Mayor’s responsibility to make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly with a taxpayer return on investment in mind. By keeping taxes as minimal as possible, carefully prioritizing spending projects, and focusing on increased revenue through responsible growth, we can ensure our city remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Provo has been losing sales tax revenue over the last four years. Sales tax is the economic driver of our city, makes up 30% of our budget, and is the biggest source of our revenue. When sales tax decreases, it puts more pressure on other sources of revenue. We receive sales tax based on population and point of sale: ½% of all sales tax in the state is divided out to cities according to population, and another ½% is returned to cities at point of sale.
Provo is missing out on a lot of point of sale sales tax, and it is vital that we start bringing some of this back to Provo. Here are four things we can do:
Vitalize and better support the businesses that are already here. They create jobs, generate revenue, and give our city its unique character. Provo’s Downtown has the potential to be one of the best in Utah, and there is much more Provo City can do to make it a destination. We need a plan for Downtown, and this has become increasingly urgent after the wakeup call from the geyser there a few weeks ago.
Support the redevelopment of Provo Towne Center Mall and East Bay.
Make it easier to open and grow a business in Provo by removing the red tape that holds entrepreneurs and business owners back.
In areas that are currently underserved, like West and Southeast Provo, change the zoning to allow for neighborhood friendly retail, restaurants, and services.
Susan says:
I try to shop local but I love Costco, what can I say?
Marsha Judkins says:
Susan, you are definitely not alone!! I don’t want Provo to look like Orem or Spanish Fork, and I realize that some of our sales tax dollars will always end up somewhere else. We need to play to our strengths and create a unique and fun feel that will draw people to Provo. Our downtown has great things going for it, and with a little support, can become the destination for music, art, unique shopping, shows, and restaurants. In addition, creating small shopping/service spaces in our communities that need and want them strengthens thsoe neighborhoods by creating a place where neighbors can connect and interact. These are just two ideas taht will strengthen our sales tax revenues and elevate Provo.