Future of 6th-penny tax unclear

It’s still unclear whether or not a sixth-penny tax initiative will form in time for this year’s election, but some officials have already voiced opposition to it.

During a recent Sweetwater County Commissioners meeting, a few of the Commissioners voiced opposition to the cities bringing forth a sixth-penny tax initiative.

Chairman Reid West said it sounds like the cities are going to want to discuss getting a sixth-cent initiative.

“We already have a position on it,” West said.

That position was voiced at another meeting and was unfavorable.

County Clerk Dale Davis said in order for something to appear on the general election ballot it must be turned in 101 days ahead of time, and believed July 19 was the last day something like that could be turned in to make it onto the ballot. He said it used to be in August, but it was recently changed.

“My position is this should never look like a permanent tax ever,” Commissioner John Kolb said.

He said Sweetwater County has been fortunate enough to have a community that supports the short-term tax.

“It does have to be given a bit of a rest,” he said.

However, in an interview with Mayor Pete Rust, Rust said it should be up to the voters to determine whether or not they are ready to pay for projects to be done.

“There’s a lot of need out there,” Rust said. “The process allows for the people to decide.”

Rust said for the city of Green River, the sixth-penny tax generates about $250,000 per month. The money is usually used for street improvements, such as Second South Street.

“We obviously understand the value of it for Green River in terms of the projects we have,” Rust said.

Even though Green River has a lot of projects that it could use sixth-penny money to complete, the biggest one is the replacement of the waste water treatment plant.

Rust said water is a city’s most critical resource, whether it’s the treatment of drinking water or waste water.

In 2015, the replacement of the waste water treatment plant was estimated to cost $30 million. Rust said costs just continue to rise and the city is in the design phase of the project. He said they know it needs to be done and even though it may take years to complete the entire project, why not start saving money for it now?

Rust said he is aware of the July deadline and knows ultimately the decision is up to the Commissioners on whether or not any initiative will go forward for voters to make a decision on.

Rust wasn’t sure if the communities, including Rock Springs, Farson, Granger, Wamsutter and Superior were ready to pursue a sixth-cent tax initiative this year or not.

 

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