Search and rescue operations in Summit County are funded by county property taxes.
Although they fund the annual operating costs of search and rescue services amounting to US$45,000, the public generally does not use their services.
According to 2023 data, 97% of emergency calls to Summit County Search Rescue came from people living outside the county.
Summit County is proposing a half-percent (0.5%) sales tax increase on the November ballot to fund search and rescue, emergency services, police and the expansion of the Three Mile Landfill. That equates to 50 cents on $100 of eligible purchases. Gasoline, medical prescriptions and groceries would be exempt from the potential sales tax increase.
The district estimates that about 65% of sales tax revenue is generated by nonresidents.
Summit County Councilmember Canice Harte says the proposed sales tax increase would help the county capitalize on visitor spending.
“All revenue from that half percent, the amount proposed, must be used to offset the impacts of tourism,” Harte said. “The purpose of this tax would be to get as many people living outside the county to bear the costs of those impacts.”
Similar to search and rescue operations, most emergency calls in Summit County come from nonresidents.
Summit County has not raised property taxes since 2017, but residents have faced higher bills as home prices have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Harte, by increasing the sales tax, the county council can forgo a possible increase in property taxes and thus close a four million dollar funding gap for emergency services.
The county expects the 10-year sales tax increase to generate approximately $15 million in additional revenue.
“If you wanted to raise $15 million in property taxes, you would have to increase your general fund by 94%, so property taxes would go up by 94%,” Harte said. “Of course, the county council would never do that.”
Further information on the planned VAT increase can be found here.
