Utah County Commission approves 4.5% short-term rental tax; continues mining expansion hearings

The Utah County Commission on June 25 voted 2-1 to adopt an ordinance raising the county's transient room tax rate for short-term rentals from 4.25% to 4.5%, effective Oct. 1, and continued two notices of intent to expand vested mining uses to the commission's July 9 meeting.

The commission, meeting in its chambers and called to order at 2:02 p.m., heard extended discussion before the TRT (transient room tax) vote about whether to adopt the higher cap now. Commissioners said the state legislature recently increased the maximum counties may levy; the county must adopt an ordinance and submit a form by July 1 to collect the higher rate beginning Oct. 1. Supporters argued the additional revenue can be used for tourism-related public safety and infrastructure such as search-and-rescue, canyon maintenance and restroom servicing; opponents said the fund is volatile and cautioned…