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Millard County adopts 0.25‑point TRT increase to qualify for outdoor‑recreation grants; effective Oct. 1
Summary
The Millard County Commission voted to adopt an ordinance increasing the county transient room tax from 4.25% to 4.5%, a 0.25‑point rise that staff said is required to qualify the county for state outdoor‑recreation grant programs for EMS and search‑and‑rescue.
The Millard County Commission voted to adopt an ordinance increasing the county transient room tax (TRT) from 4.25% to 4.5%, a 0.25‑percentage‑point increase that county staff said will permit Millard County to apply for certain state outdoor‑recreation grants for EMS, search‑and‑rescue and related services.
Rachelle West Ventora (staff member) explained the purpose during a public hearing: “What this tax increase does is it would take our normal TRT, so transient room tax, so that is the hotel tax. It would increase it from 4.25 to 4.5. If we increase that, then we are qualified to apply for grants with outdoor rec, for our search and rescue, EMS, things like that,” she said. West Ventora added that counties that do not adopt the increase are excluded from the state grant program.
Why it matters: the additional 0.25 percentage point is collected and used by the state to fund competitive outdoor‑recreation grants. County commissioners discussed whether the increase would translate into awards — one commissioner asked how much the state awards in grants each year and the likelihood the county would be funded — but agreed the tax is largely borne by visitors rather than residents.
Commissioner Bonnie Smith (auditor referenced in the hearing) and other commissioners confirmed procedural details. The commission moved to adopt Ordinance 25‑07‑01, to amend Title 3, Chapter 2 of the Millard County Code increasing the transient room tax rate. Commissioners asked when the change would take effect; county staff said if the ordinance and the required form are filed with the state promptly, the change will be effective Oct. 1.
The commission’s motion to adopt the ordinance was made, seconded and approved by voice vote in the meeting record. Details announced during discussion: the increase is intended to help rural counties qualify for state grant programs that underwrite costs associated with visitors (trash, traffic, emergency responses) and to provide another source for emergency services and search‑and‑rescue equipment. Staff and at least one commissioner noted that the county’s share of TRT remains largely unchanged for local budgeting; the additional 0.25 percentage point is the state’s mechanism to fund grants.
Discussion distinguished who bears the tax: commissioners noted it falls mostly on transient visitors staying in local lodging, not on residents who do not use overnight rooms. The commission instructed staff to file the ordinance with state authorities so the change would take effect Oct. 1.
