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COG mayors weigh countyoption to redirect 'second-quarter' sales-tax revenue to public safety; agree to draft letter and follow-up meeting
Summary
Cache County may enact a state-authorized "second-quarter" local-option sales tax allocation for public safety; COG staff briefed mayors on the statutory change and members agreed to refine a draft letter to county council and hold a follow-up Zoom to coordinate a joint response.
Mayors and staff at the Cache County Council of Governments discussed a state change that allows third- through sixth-class counties to allocate a portion of a local-option sales tax (the so-called "second quarter") to public-safety purposes without a voter referendum.
Jeff, a COG staff member, told the group that the new language (added to state code effective 01/01/2024) "may allocate revenues to public safety purposes" but does not define "public safety," and that a county adopting the provision must submit an allocation plan to the state. "They have to pass a resolution saying how we're gonna use it," Jeff said during the briefing.
Several mayors expressed concern that a county decision to use the second-quarter funds for public safety could remove a flexible funding source the COG and cities use for transportation. "If they carve out a portion of that to be used for transportation, it would no longer be available as an option," one mayor said, asking that cities be involved in any county decision.
Members asked staff to circulate a short draft letter for the body to review and asked Jeff to schedule a follow-up Zoom so mayors could refine and sign it. The group agreed that individual mayors should also contact county council members and, where appropriate, state lawmakers to express their positions. Staff said, per the statutory calendar, that if the county acts with its current budget the measure could take effect the following April and estimated annual revenue at roughly $9,000,000 (staff estimate).
