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San Juan County to place 1% local sales tax on ballot to fund EMS services
Summary
County staff recommended placing a 1% local option sales and use tax on the ballot to fund ambulance services, staffing and equipment; commissioners voted to put the proposition before voters after hearing that visitors account for a large share of EMS calls.
County staff told the San Juan County Commission on June 16 that the county will seek voter approval to impose a 1% local option sales and use tax to support emergency medical services, including operations, maintenance, staffing, capital improvements and equipment.
The proposal — framed under Utah Code 59‑12‑802 — would exclude non‑prepared food, fuels and prescription medications, staff said. The presenter said the county currently covers recurring EMS shortfalls and lacks a replacement fund for vehicles and equipment.
"As a point of reference, right today we're about 41% of our EMS calls are visitor or out of our zip code that we serve," the county staff member said, describing why a sales tax would shift some costs to visitors who use services while traveling.
Supporters said the revenue would help the county move ambulance operations from deficit toward sustainability and build a replacement reserve for ambulances and monitors. The staff member also said the county does not intend to use taxpayer dollars for a campaign and would seek letters of support from municipalities and grassroots fundraising for outreach: "We don't intend to spend any taxpayer money on this campaign at all," the presenter said.
Commissioners discussed process and public outreach. Commissioner Harvey clarified that by placing the item on the ballot the legislative body is authorizing the clerk to prepare the proposition for public vote; the measure would then be decided by voters in a future election.
The commission voted to place the 1% sales and use tax proposition on the ballot for public consideration. The next procedural steps include developing ballot language, coordinating with the county clerk and public outreach to explain the measure's purpose and exclusions to voters.
If approved by voters, the county would dedicate revenues from the measure to EMS programs described in the ballot question; officials said the exact spending plan and timeline will be returned to the commission for implementation and oversight.
