Tooele County directs staff to craft data-center rules, studies possible energy excise tax

Tooele County’s council on June 16 unanimously adopted a resolution directing county staff to develop land‑use overlay standards for regionally significant developments and to analyze a potential energy excise tax for large data centers.

Nathan Harris, who introduced the resolution, said the action is intended to “get ahead of” recent statewide attention on data centers and to make clear the county’s expectations for developers. “Right now…in our land use ordinances, we don’t even address data centers at all,” Harris said, arguing the county needs standards and processes so developers and residents know the rules.

The resolution does not adopt regulations or levy taxes. Instead, it asks community development, the county manager’s office and the county attorney to draft options that would go to the planning commission for public comment and then return to the council. Harris and county staff said some applications may be temporarily delayed while staff finishes the drafting process.

Council members emphasized public input and coordination with regional authorities. One councilman noted the county’s limited jurisdiction in some areas and that projects within the Inland Port and other special districts may require different approvals. The manager’s office said smaller proposals could remain with the planning commission, while larger, regionally significant projects would be referred to the council for final decisions.

Council members also discussed a recently authorized change that allows counties to consider an excise tax on very large electricity users. The manager’s office said the excise tax would apply to “big users” and not to residential customers, and that the county would study whether it is appropriate for Tooele.

What’s next: staff will draft ordinance language and tax options, route drafts through the planning commission with public hearings, and return proposals to the council for further action.