FEBRUARY 7, 2025|
Photo – Generic property tax photo – Courtesy Wyoming Department of Revenue
Carbon County officials continue to express concerns about the impact of proposed property tax bills making their way through the legislature.
During the February 4th County Commissioners meeting, Carbon County Assessor Renee Snider informed the board that she has approved 470 Long-Term Homeowner Tax Exemption Program applications. Assessor Snider said the program has cost the state roughly $370,000 in lost property tax revenue.
The state has provided no way to reimburse counties for their lost tax dollars. The Long-Term Homeowner Tax Exemption Program offers a 50% reduction in property taxes for homeowners who are 65 years or older and have paid property taxes in Wyoming for at least 25 years.
Commissioner Sue Jones said the program is neither fair nor equitable and should be challenged in court.
Next, Commissioner Jones discussed House Bill 45, which set a 4% limit on property tax increases on single-family residential structures and the associated land.
The commissioner said that collected property taxes in Carbon County decreased by only approximately $10,500, indicating that the bill is not having a widespread impact.
Like the Long-Term Homeowner Tax Exemption Program, House Bill 45 does not include a way to supplement county budgets for the lost property tax revenue.
Commissioner Jones said all the property tax relief bills combined are set to lose the state roughly $838 million over the next three fiscal years. The commissioner said schools, which receive nearly 73% of property tax revenue, are set to lose the most money, at $603 million.
Commissioner Jones said county governments, which receive 17.4% of collected property taxes, will lose more than $142 million in revenue. Special districts, such as the Carbon County Fire Protection District, receive 7.84% of the property tax revenue and will lose $65 million over the next three years.
No plan is in place to help county governments recoup the lost revenues. Commissioner Jones said local governments will collect $15 million less in property taxes with no plan by the state to compensate the entities for the lost revenue.
Commissioner Jones explained that Wyoming offers a variety of tax relief programs. Depending on where they live, a homeowner who qualifies for multiple programs may not pay any property tax at all.
The Wyoming Legislature is considering Senate File 69, which reduces taxes by 50 percent on all residential properties valued at up to $2 million. Commissioner Jones said if passed, Senate File 69 will affect nearly every home in Carbon County.
Commissioner Jones praised Representatives Pam Thayer, Bob Davis, and Senator Larry Hicks for their efforts in mitigating the impact Senate File 69 will have on counties. However, Senator Hicks’s fight to use a portion of state sales tax to supplement the county’s budget was not successful.
Commissioner Jones acknowledged that some Carbon County homeowners need property tax relief. However, the commissioner said the problem should be handled through existing local refund programs instead of broad state-wide measures.
Commissioner John Espy said the state is required to fund its education program above all other services. Commissioner Espy questioned what will need to be cut to ensure that the diminished property tax revenue can still sustain the education system.
The board was unanimous in expressing their dislike for the sweeping tax measures being considered at the state legislature. Commission Chairman Travis Moore said law makers aren’t shrinking state government like they promised while running for office last year. Instead, Moore said, their actions are hurting local governments and residents.
