FEBRUARY 4, 2025|
Photo – Property tax refund application – Bigfoot99 file photo
Bucking a trend, popular with state lawmakers during the ongoing session, county officials in Rawlins warn that reducing property taxes will hurt local governments.
At the Carbon County Commissioners meeting on January 21, Commissioner Sue Jones announced that she and several other board members were preparing to attend a Wyoming County Commissioners Association meeting in Cheyenne. The purpose of the meeting was to lobby state lawmakers against enacting additional property tax reduction measures. Commissioner Jones said counties across the state are set to lose approximately $650 million in property tax revenue under proposals working their way through the house and senate.
Commissioner Jones said newly elected lawmakers in the Wyoming State Legislature promised to lower taxes when running for office. However, the commissioner said they do not appear to fully understand that property taxes are exclusively used to fund local governments.
Commissioner Jones said reducing property taxes will hurt small counties, such as Niobrara, that do not collect mineral severance taxes to supplement their budgets. Here in Carbon County, Commissioner Jones said lowering property taxes could have a detrimental impact on the newly formed Fire Protection District, among other county services.
Commissioner Jones said the board believes it is spending the property taxes it receives wisely. The commissioner recommended contacting state representatives and asking them to reach out to local officials to discuss the potential impact of proposed property tax breaks.
Commissioner Jones said she is unhappy with another matter under consideration by the state legislature: House Bill 262. The commissioner explained that the bill requires counties to refund any additional tax revenue to residents or be fined by the state treasurer’s office.
Commissioner Jones said counties are legally required to hold certain funds in reserve, such as those received through impact assistance programs, and suggested that state lawmakers participate in local government activities to gain a comprehensive understanding of how tax money is used.
House Bill 262 was formally presented to the Wyoming House of Representatives on January 21st and assigned to the House Corporations Committee for review and consideration.
Commissioner John Johnson said he watched a television program where Wyoming House Speaker Chip Neiman mentioned that people do not feel like they are receiving more governmental services for their rising property taxes. Commissioner Johnson explained that inflation has increased the price of providing those services.
The board agreed that the state legislature’s consideration of lowering property taxes and limiting the amount of money counties can hold in reserve is shortsighted.
Commission Chairman Travis Moore warned citizens to understand what is at stake when voting for lower taxes.
