A recent survey of residents about their views on a potential specific purpose sales tax is considered promising by local leaders and has already had impact on the types of projects that will be brought forward.
The sales tax being considered is similar to previous 1% specific purpose taxes passed by Sweetwater County voters in 2012 and 2006, which listed the uses proposed for the tax.
The tax initiative voters defeated in November would have been for a general purpose sales tax, which would have gone directly to the municipal and county general funds and was seen as a means to shore up funding for emergency services and provide more money for economic development spending.
The survey was conducted online March 31-April 15 by the committee consisting of elected officials throughout Sweetwater County.
According to information in the Sweetwater County Commissioners’ May 3 meeting information packet, the survey is not statistically validated, but is considered an effective means to receive input. In total, the survey received 860 responses.
According to the survey:
* 54% lived in the county for 15 years or more
* 84% voted in every recent local election
* 85% were aware of the potential for a sales tax increase, with 82% reporting they understood the difference between a specific-purpose tax and general-use tax
* 39% reported they were likely to support a 1% increase in sales tax, with an additional 15% reporting they were undecided
* 49% reported they were more likely to support a tax increase if additional details are included, such as the list of projects and the time period a proposed increase would be in effect
* 28% reported being willing to pay an extra 1% in sales tax for five years or less, with and additional 10% reporting they would support an increase for up to 10 years, with another 17% reporting they were undecided
* 35% were unwilling to pay an extra 1% in sales tax for any amount of time
* The top three uses that responders supported were maintenance and improvements to streets, use for sewer systems, and use for water facilities. Other uses listed by responders were wastewater facilities, paving of dirt roads, flood mitigation, extension of sewer services to areas with out them, and new equipment such as ambulances
Both Sweetwater County Commissioner Lauren Schoenfeld and Green River City Councilman Gary Killpack view some of the figures with optimism regarding the potential support a specific-purpose tax could receive. Schoenfeld, speaking Tuesday morning during the commissioners’ meeting, cited the 49% being willing to support a tax if details were provided on its use and the 39% likely to support a tax, with 15% being undecided, as reasons to believe a specific purpose tax could pass with voters in November.
The results have prompted several organizations to rework project lists under consideration for potential use in a potential specific-purpose tax ballot question. Representatives from Green River significantly pared down potential uses in the city, which had originally been the city’s entire capital project construction list estimated at $161 million. According to Schoenfeld, the city’s new list of potential projects amounts to $39.9 million and focuses solely on basic infrastructure needs. Schoenfeld also said the Sweetwater Events Complex cut down its potential list of projects to a single waterline project considered necessary to the complex’s operation. Schoenfeld said the county is assisting governing bodies in identifying projects that could qualify for other sources of funding to limit projects on a potential tax ballot question to those that could only see funding through a specific-purpose tax. The city’s wastewater treatment plant was initially considered for the tax ballot, but was removed as Green River’s representatives have other possible means of funding the shortfall that has halted the project.
She said projects with a quality of life focus have largely been dropped from potential projects lists, with the exception of some still under consideration in Rock Springs. Those projects include beautification, downtown revitalization, and recreational uses.
Schoenfeld said a public meeting to discuss the tax and allow residents a chance to voice their opinions will take place Wednesday at Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs.
The discussion takes place in Room 3650 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Reader Comments(0)