Vernal City has issued a statement regarding Proposition #12 on the Uintah County election ballot. The statement shares the following: The 2024 election ballot features federal, state and local candidates as well as state and local amendments and referendums. Soon, registered voters will receive their ballot in the mail. City officials encourage voters to research and understand the candidates’ positions and ballot issues. The November ballot includes a local referendum, Proposition #12, regarding a 0.3% increase in County option sales tax. The new tax was approved by the County Commission and is estimated to generate $4.5 million per year for County public safety purposes with no sunset. City officials received questions on the impact to the city police department. The new tax will be applied to all eligible sales in Uintah County including at businesses in Vernal, Naples and Ballard. While a majority of the sales tax will be collected from consumers within the three cities, no portion of the tax will be shared with City police departments. Voters will decide to either vote ‘FOR’ Prop 12 to repeal the tax or ‘AGAINST’ Prop 12 to keep the tax.
