Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 |
Photo – Carbon County Library – Bigfoot99 file photo
Thanks to successful fundraising efforts, the Carbon County Library System can continue operations.
In March, the Wyoming State Legislature passed a series of relief bills aimed at helping residents manage rising property taxes, which were largely fueled by population growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new measures, all Wyoming homeowners have received a 25% reduction on residential property taxes for the first $1 million of assessed value on their homes and associated lands. Seniors aged 65 and older who have lived in their homes for at least 25 years are also eligible for a 50% reduction in their property taxes.
Altogether, the state-backed property tax relief programs have cost Carbon County an estimated $500,000 in lost revenue. The resulting shortfall has forced the Board of County Commissioners to reduce funding for outside services, including the Carbon County Library System, which saw a 53% drop in revenue this fiscal year. Funding fell from $350,964 in 2024 to $164,452.
In light of the funding reduction, Library Board members warned they may be forced to take drastic measures, including potentially closing the county’s lowest-performing libraries.
However, during the September 16th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting in Saratoga, Commissioner Sue Jones announced that the Library Board had successfully raised enough money to temporarily sustain operations across the county.
Library Board Chairwoman Adelaide Myers prepared a report detailing the amount of money raised. Before Myers could present her report, Commission Chairman Travis Moore asked for a round of applause for the Library Board’s hard work.
After the ovation, Library Board Chairwoman Myers said the Friends of the Library groups in Saratoga and Encampment collectively raised more than $100,000 in grants and donations.
Myers said the fundraising initiative was a team effort. Thanks to the work of Commissioner Sue Jones and HF Sinclair Community Relations Administrator Annette Penman, every county library will receive some level of supplemental funding.
Myers said the donations will not sustain the Library System indefinitely. As a longer-term solution, the Library Board is exploring the creation of a tax-exempt endowment to support day-to-day operations.
Myers said the Library Board will make every effort to avoid shuttering any libraries in the county. However, if closures become necessary, they will be temporary. Myers said the next step is to persuade state lawmakers to either eliminate the property tax cuts or backfill the lost revenue.
Commissioner Sue Jones said Carbon County’s population cannot fully fund all legally mandated county services without the lost property tax revenue. Commissioner Jones added that another funding source will be needed to meet those obligations.
Commissioner Jones said the Board is exploring alternative ways to reduce overall spending, including disposing of some of its 67 county-owned buildings. Commissioner Jones said the county is asking municipalities to assume ownership of their senior centers and libraries, free of charge.
The Town of Saratoga has already expressed interest in taking over its library branch. County Attorney Ashley Davis said her office is still working to finalize the deal. Other towns have committed to donating utilities, such as water and gas, to their local senior centers and libraries to help offset the budget reduction.
Commissioner Jones thanked everyone who helped secure additional funding for the Carbon County Library System and encouraged the public to continue supporting the services they value.
The Carbon County Library Board is providing postcards for residents to send to their local representatives, urging them to support local government funding.
