Lincoln County has joined several towns and communities in support of a 6th penny sales tax. The county commission approved a resolution on June 19 to place a question of a sixth penny sales tax on the 2018 ballot.
Funds raised from the proposed tax increase will be used for road improvement and maintenance project, which have already been outlined in detail by the towns in Lincoln County.
The total sixth penny collection needed to cover all of the projects would be $13,856,191. If approved by voters, the sixth penny sales tax would sunset once the $13.8 million was reached.
More information on the proposed tax increase can be found on the front page of the June 27, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
During the Weekday Wake-up Thursday morning, Duke & Dahl asked listeners if they were inclined to vote for or against the proposed 6th penny tax. Here are the listener’s responses.
In Favor
“It’s just an extra penny. If it benefits our local area, I think it’s worth it.”
“Lets go for it! But do a 5 year and get a rec center here as well.”
“I will pay a lot more if they fix the ally behind the cowboy bar.”
“I support it! An extra percent is worth the benefit.”
“I’d pay an 8th penny tax to get some of the roads in Afton smoothed out.”
“Many communities pay for projects in their town this way including 8 & 9 cents for things like swimming pools! I’ll pay 6 cents for better roads.”
“Yes Yes to 6 cent tax the only way for EVERYONE to share in the cause.”
“I’d vote yes our roads need work.”
“When we shop at the neighbors( Jackson, Idaho Falls ) we pay 6%. That extra penny should be going on our roads . Yes I’m in favor.”
“Yes! No brainer.”
Opposed
“No on the tax increase . No one wants a 20 percent increase in a tax. Also, Star Valley Ranch wants a lot of money. They have no business to generate sales tax. The only reason SVR became incorporated was so they could get the other communities to pay for their roads, etc.”
“No.”
“No 6th penny tax!!”
“I feel like they have enough money if they would get out of competing against personal business with our money and fix the roads instead. Such as hospital owned physical therapy, golf courses, rental properties (forest service building.) Etc.”
“Do a fellow up on we’re the 5 cent gas tax went. I remember when it was being voted on that they marked it for road work and improvements. Now they say we have a big need for more money to improve roads. Were is that money being used. All the leaders want is more money. Stop digging into my pocket.”
“NO NO and NO. There are more people outside the incorporated towns. We are not going to pay for the incorporated townships lack of planning, common sense and responsibility. It is always easier for spread the wealth . . . that socialistic concept is alive with this proposition. We will organize and spend as much money as it takes to defeat it!”
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Absolutely not. 53% of Lincoln County residents live outside of these nine incorporated municipalities, but will be paying for expenses that are the city’s responsibilities. Sounds like a redistribution of wealth scheme to me. Additionally, the disparity in the distribution of funds is maddening; nearly half of the monies generated will be used exclusively in Kemmerer and Diamondville. One percent doesn’t sound like much until you purchase a big ticket item like a car – add $200.00 to that purchase of a $20,000.00 vehicle! That’s a lot for most of our families here. Lastly, the representation made in your June 28 broadcast that any “leftover” funds would go to schools just isn’t so. This is a SPET tax defined by Wyoming statute; neither the project nor the recipient can be altered IF the tax is approved by the voters. I would welcome a discussion with you so a balanced understanding of this tax could be presented.