Committee moves to tighten rules restricting RAPS restaurant‑tax grants for overhead costs

A staff member presented proposed revisions to county code language (referred to in the meeting as 3Point82Point030, item d) that would bar recipients from using RAPS restaurant‑tax grant awards to pay indirect costs, administrative overhead, facilities, F&A or general operational expenses. "A recipient shall not use RAPS tax or restaurant tax grant award funds to pay for indirect cost, administrative overhead facilities, and administrative f and a expenses or general operational overhead," the presenter read aloud during the meeting.

Several committee members warned that strict enforcement could leave some organizations unable to operate. Members cited examples — including the county zoo and the American West Heritage Center — where a substantial share of previously approved awards has supported institutional overhead. One committee member asked whether enforcing a strict prohibition would force some awardees to shut down, and suggested adopting a cap or transitional approach to protect viability while directing most funds to project‑level expenses.

After discussing three draft options (explicitly allowing certain traceable indirect costs, classifying untraceable costs as non‑reimbursable, or requiring itemized receipts for project deliverables), the board recorded a motion to proceed with revising the RAPS language and return with a stronger review. The chair called for a voice vote and the motion passed; staff said they would notify current applicants about forthcoming changes and place the revision on the next materials for committee review.

Why it matters: RAPS awards come from restaurant sales tax dollars. Committee members said they want more of those public dollars to flow directly into visible recreation projects rather than toward broad institutional overhead, but they also voiced concern about preserving programs that rely on some of that funding. The committee did not adopt final, binding text at the meeting; staff will draft revised language and bring it back for approval.