Emergency services .05% sales tax increase passes in Summit County

A DPS helicopter takes off in the high Uintas in August of 2024. A probable new Summit County sales tax will generate revenue for emergency services like Search and Rescue. Photo: Summit County Utah Search and Rescue

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – Summit County voters have approved Proposition 18, a 0.5% emergency services sales tax aimed at offsetting tourism impacts, according to preliminary election results. Early counts show 8,479 votes in favor and 3,046 against.

The new sales tax, as proposed, would be a half percent (that‘s 50 cents on applicable purchases of $100) on purchases excluding gas, groceries, and prescriptions. The County Council indicated prior to putting the measure to a vote that they preferred it over raising property taxes.

It’s being called an “emergency services sales tax” because, according to Utah state law, the sales tax will need to be earmarked for search and rescue, emergency medical services, waste disposal, police, fire protection, and avalanche forecasting. The sales tax would fund these budget items, freeing up money in the general fund for other items.

The County’s Chief Financial Officer, Matt Leavitt, said that since the population of full-time residents in Summit County has declined for the past two years, the sales tax is the most efficient way for the county to raise needed funds to keep up with rising expenses.