According to a press release, last week, the county approved a .20% sales and use tax dedicated to supporting city and county-wide public safety priorities and transportation infrastructure.

“The sales and use tax, named the ‘5th 5th’ Local Option Sales Tax, equates to 1/5 of one cent on a $1 purchase and will be instrumental in providing necessary paramedic and emergency services,” the release said. “It is also authorized under a Utah State code and will take effect on October 1, 2026. From the .20%, the County will receive .15% for public safety and transportation initiatives and cities will receive .05% for transportation initiatives.”

Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer noted that this does not affect property taxes.

“As Weber County continues to grow, we must ensure that our public safety services and transportation network keep pace with that growth,” he said in the release. “This ordinance provides an alternative to relying solely on property taxes to fund critical community needs. It allows Weber County to invest in essential public safety and transportation services while protecting taxpayers.”

Jessika Clark, Weber County public relations manager, told the Standard-Examiner on Monday that there are areas where the funds can and can’t be used.

“According to the ordinance, the funds ‘provide the county, the cities and towns within the county, and the public transit district operating within the county with an additional source of revenue to allow these entities to maintain and improve transportation infrastructure and options. It is also enacted to provide funding for public safety purposes.’ The public safety purposes include law enforcement, emergency management, emergency communications, corrections, prosecution, search and rescue, emergency preparedness and public safety infrastructure,” she said. “The funds cannot be used for other General Fund expenditures.”

She said the total amount of sales and use tax that is estimated to be collected each year is $13.1 million — $3.3 million to Weber County, $3.3 million to cities and $6.5 million for transit.

For more information, visit https://wfrc.utah.gov/PublicInvolvement/GovernmentalAffairs/2026/Weber_5th5th_Materials.pdf.