The Uintah County Commission is considering a Sales & Use Tax increase during today’s Uintah County Commission meeting. The Commission discussed today’s agenda topics during Monday morning’s work session. Agenda item number 12 is a Resolution for Commissioners to consider Imposing a 0.3% Sales and Use Tax for Public Safety. Uintah County Clerk/Auditor Mike Wilkins responded to an Evans Family Media inquiry, explaining that this item is a sales tax that the Utah State Legislature approved in the last legislative session allowing Counties to collect 0.3% sales tax for public safety services based on code 59-12-2216. Wilkins also stated that the specific public safety services for its use would be the Sheriff’s Office and Uintah County Jail and based on last year’s numbers this tax should generate approximately $4.4 million dollars. During Monday’s work session Wilkins stated that the soonest this can go into effect is October 1st, 2024, which Commissioners indicated is what they want to pursue. The Resolution is based on one out of Iron County and Commissioners will consider the Resolution today. Also on today’s agenda is a Resolution for Reauthorizing the 0.1% Sales and Use Tax for Western Park. Wilkins explained during Monday’s meeting that this is the ZAP Tax that is used each year to support the Western Park facility, including the amphitheater and ice rink, as well as the Uintah Heritage Museum. The ZAP Tax is not a new tax. It has been collected since 1996 and while it has been as low as $700,000 dollars some years, last year it got back to $1.4 million dollars. If passed, today’s Resolution would put the ZAP Tax on the ballot to continue that tax to support Western Park and the Western Heritage Museum. Today’s Uintah County Commission meeting will begin at 3pm and is held in the Commission Chambers. Also on the agenda is a Resolution regarding Uintah County Tier 2 Retirement and a 401K match.
