ALT LAKE CITY — What used to seem like a feud between the Hatfields and McCoys, has become a peaceful union of sorts.

“We were shooting guns at each other and now we’re shaking hands,” said Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson of recent talks with Salt Lake City over SB248.

Although the bill is directly beneficial to the capital city, it could ultimately help Davis County by providing a connection point for a streetcar line there.

“This will be wonderful for our county,” Johnson said. “We’ve been looking at a streetcar line for a long time but we need a place to connect downtown. If this passes, Salt Lake has said it’s willing to work with other counties.”

SB248, sponsored by Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, would permit Salt Lake City to achieve resort community status and thereby allow a tax increase on soft goods and retail items. Mayor Ralph Becker has promised Davis County leaders he would earmark some of the money to reconstruct the North Temple viaduct, making it easier to connect a streetcar line out of Davis County.

“The city grows by 70 percent (during the day) but they don’t get taxes from those people,” said Bell. “Salt Lake City is the capital city but it has a lot of tax exempt property with the (LDS) church and university. We’ve gone from a mayor who wanted to sue us to one who is coming to us and trying to be helpful.”

By creating the tax increase, more money would be available for city projects such as the airport TRAX line and the viaduct.

“They’ve said they will pay for the streetcar out to the county line,” said Bell. “Residents will enjoy better traffic and an easier commute. It seems to be a winner.”

Although Bell said there are some details to iron out, he believes it can still be done before the session ends.

Johnson is just happy for the good will. “The key element here is the cooperation,” he said. “They wouldn’t even talk to us before and now they are willing to put it down on paper. I’m very encouraged.”

bginos@davisclipper.com