RAPZ
tax pays for Richmond park's new gazebo

COMING TOGETHER:
Workers prepare to frame the gazebo. / Photos
by Jami Elzinga

By Jami
Elzinga
September 24, 2008 | RICHMOND -- The city park in
Richmond is getting a new gazebo. The 18-foot-by-18-foot
structure is being built in hopes that they can have
a covered area to have concerts in the summer in the
park, and a social life to the city.
The money for this comes from the Recreation, Arts,
Parks, and Zoos Act (RAPZ) tax. This is a tax that everyone
pays and it's attached to things like restaurant taxes
when you eat out.
This project was spearheaded by City Councilman Brad
Jensen, who has been in charge of the funding for this
project.
"It was my idea," Jensen said. "I just wanted a nice
place to hold concerts in the park."
Mayor Mike Hall wrote the grant for the funding, approximately
$15,000 for the building and its 100 percent tax free
for the citizens since they have already paid for it.
All labor is donated from city council members, youth
city council members, and the citizens, and they have
put in about 50-60 hours of labor so far.
They hope to have it completed before it starts snowing,
and were doing the frame work on it last weekend. Last
year the money from the RAPZ tax went to the public
restrooms in the park to bring them up to the American
Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The RAPZ tax has done
a lot to better the community, Jensen said.
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