SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Transit authority is working on the salaries of the future, and they'll be lower than the salaries of today.
That's the just-announced new policy from the agency's board of trustees, who, after a study of similar agencies across the country, decided to make a change.
"In essence, new executives will be hired for less than current executives--as much as 20 percent less," said UTA spokesperson Remi Barron.
The move comes just as the Utah legislature voted to allow counties to request a sales tax increase for transportation needs, so long as voters approve.
The other UTA, the Utah Taxpayers' Association, thinks that may not just be coincidence. They think UTA may be positioning itself for a public relations boost before asking for a tax hike.
"If this gives them that advantage, maybe it does. I think taxpayers will still be leery of UTA and why it is they need so much more money," said the Utah Taxpayers' spokesperson Billy Hesterman.
Barron said UTA is not pushing for a tax hike, and if they got the money, they'd use it to increase bus availability, not to pad salaries.
Another change will hit the pocketbooks of current managers.
The UTA board has decided to limit executive bonuses to $7,500. Previously, they've been as high as $30,000.
