The Uintah County Commission passed a 0.3% Sales & Use Tax increase during Tuesday’s Uintah County Commission meeting to generate an estimated $4.4 million dollars annually to be used for public safety services. Commissioner Sonja Norton emphasized that the community is changing with the presence of fentanyl and dangerous drugs posing significant challenges for officers every day and she is deeply concerned that if officers and their families are not supported they will leave the area for better paying opportunities. Uintah County Commissioner Brad Horrocks requested that the item be tabled for a week or two to research other avenues before imposing the tax increase. Commissioner John Laursen responded that he did not agree with tabling it because he said the information has been made available previously and it has been discussed at length. Commissioner Norton also said this option spreads out the cost to everyone, including visitors to the community, rather than burden just property owners with a property tax increase. The Resolution was passed with Norton and Laursen voting in favor and Horrocks voting against. The increase will raise the county’s sales tax from 6.45% to 6.75% and it can go into effect October 1st, 2024. Public comment was allowed after it was approved. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion said this will be a citywide tax so Vernal City sales tax will go from 6.95% to 7.25%. He expressed concern from a city perspective that it is being collected county wide but asked if it will be in a fund only for the unincorporated county or in a fund to benefit all residents. Other public comments emphasized concern that the public was not informed or given a chance to comment ahead of the vote and that they expect increased transparency anytime a tax increase is under consideration.
