Bountiful City Manager Tom Hardy expressed his concerns about the tax capacity of municipalities. He said that cities and towns are getting close to the maximum point at which they can still be competitive. Any tax going to another level of government means that fewer tax revenues will be available for municipalities. He also cautioned that commuter rail is very different from light rail - it doesn't look, sound or operate like light rail. Mayor Godfrey responded that the technology for light rail has not been set.
Cities can be a part of the decision-making process.
If the rail line is not purchased by cities via UTA, someone else will purchase it. Provo City Mayor Lewis Billings said that different issues need to be considered. However, it seems that there is no time to consider all the issues. He asked if municipalities should slow down and make sure that there is time to consider all the issues related to commuter rail and find the best possible option. He also expressed his concern that things were operating against self-imposed deadlines.