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Council adopts new county energy excise tax ordinance; councilors raise consumer pass-through concerns
Summary
Staff explained a new county energy excise tax under Utah code (spoken as '50 90 dash 37 2 0 2') permitting up to a 6% point-of-sale tax on high-impact energy users in unincorporated county areas. Council discussed whether the cost could be passed to consumers and then voted to adopt the ordinance by voice vote.
County staff explained a new energy excise tax ordinance the county may adopt under Utah Code '50 90 dash 37 2 0 2' allowing counties (previously cities) to impose an energy excise tax on high-impact consumers in unincorporated areas. The staff presentation described it as a point-of-sale tax, with a maximum allowable rate of 6% that the county could choose to adopt; Rocky Mountain Power or the energy provider would likely be responsible for collection. "So this adopts a new section of code... The rate you can put a maximum of a rate at 6%," the staff member said.
Council members raised concerns about the tax being passed on to consumers, particularly in the context of data centers or other high-impact users; staff acknowledged that cost pass-through is a possibility and cited discussions with other jurisdictions. After discussion, a councilor moved to adopt the ordinance (noted in the transcript as ordinance 20 26 dash 08 or similar numbering), the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote.
