OGDEN -- The RAMP Tax Advisory Board has recommended funding to build a new ice rink and multi-sport practice facility at the Weber County Ice Sheet.
The initial Ice Sheet request was for $2 million. Board members recommended spending $600,000 this year.
The committee used $200,000 from the 2012 funds and applied $400,000 originally reserved for a legacy fund.
For the remaining funds, the board recommended paying about $300,000 a year through the end of the life of RAMP, which funded its first projects in 2006 after residents voted it into existence in 2004.
RAMP Chairwoman Meg Naisbitt said if the voters bring back RAMP in 2014, the board will recommend funding the remaining money for the Ice Sheet project.
Naisbitt said the Weber County Commission rejected the idea of continuing saving for a legacy fund and recommended that the money be used this year.
The Ice Sheet is one of five major projects vying for a piece of the $868,799 in funds devoted to major grants.
Other requests for major grants come from Plain City, asking for $109,512 for the second phase of Pioneer Park; Hooper city, seeking $227,587 for trail development; and Ogden city, which made two requests within the major grants category, $200,000 for Ogden River restoration and $131,700 for park improvements.
This week, two separate RAMP committees are looking to split $1,501,368 in grant money in two other categories. County arts and museums will get $750,684, as will parks and recreation.
The first meeting was Tuesday, when the arts and recreation committee examined requests to help fund programs such as RAMP Day for Kids by the Boys & Girls Club of Weber County, Amphitheater Summer Season by Downtown Ogden Inc. and a Sundance Reception by the Egyptian Theater Foundation.
The remaining requests will be examined at meetings Thursday.
As the committees review the requests, members must take into account changes made in 2012.
Because of an audit by the state Tax Commission, all funds must be distributed in accordance with state statutes, which means projects that received funding in the past were immediately thrown out.
Funds are limited to nonprofit organizations that have been in Weber County for at least three years.
Recommendations lean heavily toward projects that will provide the most public benefit, promote county amenities and feature RAMP promotional items.
All of the recommendations still must be approved by the Weber County Commission. The recommendations will be presented at 10 a.m. March 13 at the Weber Center, 2380 Washington Blvd., Ogden.
More information about RAMP is available at http://www.co.weber.ut.us/ramp/index.htm.
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