Council adopts municipal energy and telecommunications taxes at cap, approves wildfire map and new event rules; mayoral race to remain on ballot

The Emigration Canyon City Council on Tuesday voted to enact two new local taxes and approved several ordinance changes the city says are intended to shore up revenue and meet recently passed state rules.

At a public hearing and debate that drew multiple residents, the council voted to adopt a municipal energy-use tax at the statutory maximum of 6% and a telecommunications tax at 3.5%. Staff reminded the council that the city considered similar measures in 2022 but deferred action; today’s vote formally enacts the energy tax and sets rates for both levies. During public comment, resident and utility expert Dave Quinlivan urged caution: “I’d like to see at some point sooner than later, what’s the expected revenue? What will it pay for?” He also warned that revenue from usage-based taxes can swing with weather and changes in utility rates, and that rooftop solar can materially reduce taxable electric usage for some households.

Council members debated whether to start at a lower rate and raise it later or to set the maximum now and monitor collections. A council member who moved the measure said setting the cap provides flexibility; staff said the tax would first reduce subsidies the city currently receives from other jurisdictions rather than immediately increasing net revenues to general spending. The motion to adopt both taxes at the maximum rates carried; a roll-call later in the meeting recorded Mayor Schmoka and multiple council members voting aye with one member absent.

The council also approved an ordinance amending the city code to adopt a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) map and correct a drafting error in the previously adopted code. City staff said House Bill 48 requires municipalities to designate WUI areas so they remain eligible for state and federal wildfire-response and suppression reimbursement. Staff recommended—and the council adopted—a map that covers the city, explaining that, in the city’s technical judgment, nearly all properties adjoin wildland vegetation and should be included to preserve reimbursement eligibility.

The council updated the city’s special-events code, clarifying attendee thresholds, late-application rules and the process for lane or road closures. Under the revisions the city will phase notification lead times by event size, require additional application steps for events that request road closures, and allow the municipal service district (MSD) and UPD to coordinate staffing needs for major events.

On the question of election administration, the council debated whether to cancel a mayoral race that has only one declared candidate. Staff explained that if there is only one declared candidate and no qualifying write-in candidate who filed, write-ins may not be counted under county procedures; the city could cancel the race but the candidate would still be considered elected under existing deadlines and filings. After discussion about costs and voter choice, the council voted to keep the mayoral race on the ballot; the motion passed with one recorded opposing vote during the meeting.

What’s next: City staff will implement the adopted ordinances and work with the county to apply the energy and telecommunications taxes. The updated WUI map will be posted in city files; staff said adopting the map is an important step to preserve eligibility for wildfire reimbursement under state law. The city will publish the revised event-permitting language and coordinate operational details with UPD and the MSD.

Votes at a glance: resolution/ordinance adoption—municipal energy-use tax (adopted at 6%); telecommunications tax (adopted at 3.5%); Wildland-Urban Interface ordinance and map (adopted); special-events code amendments (adopted); motion to keep the mayor on the ballot despite single candidate (adopted, one recorded opposition).