Karla's Kolumn: Continuing the sales tax is important to the future of Washakie County

While the nation focuses on who will win control of the U.S. House and Senate after Tuesday’s election, local voters have many important races to focus on in addition to the federal races.

Worland voters will be deciding on the makeup of the city council for the next two years with five seats open (three of which are unopposed) this year.

Washakie County School District No. 1’s board could potentially have a new board member, depending on the voice of the people at Tuesday’s election with five candidates seeking the four seats open this year.

All county races are unopposed here in Washakie County, but voters in Hot Springs County will still be deciding on their two commission seats with two Republicans and one Democrat seeking the two four-year positions.

While the outcome of the local races will be shaping the future for the city and the school district, there are important countywide issues, not the least of which is the one-cent general purpose sales tax.

This is a continuing sales tax. Taxes will not increase in Washakie County if voters approve the continuation of the sale tax.

While I don’t feel it appropriate to endorse candidates, I will come out in support of the sales tax for several reasons.

First, sales tax is the fairest tax. Every individual pays the tax when you buy a car, supplies, anything but unprepared food. Other taxes are geared toward certain sectors of a community but the sales tax leaves out no one. Visitors, or even those just passing through, pay the sales tax when they make purchases in our county.

Second, one penny for every dollar is a small price to pay for the services that the seven entities provide. The Northern Wyoming Daily News has outlined the services provided through the tax from the entities and what they hope to accomplish.

Those living in, working in and visiting Ten Sleep and Worland reap the benefits of the infrastructure projects they have focused on the past four years. Yes, we all wish they could do more, but without the sales tax they’ll do less. Fixing infrastructure takes money, money that is harder to come.

The senior centers, Worland Community Center, fire district and Crisis Prevention and Response Center provide vital roles in assisting different sectors of the community and helping to provide a great quality of life here in Washakie County.

Just as the municipalities struggle with funding, so do these organizations.

We can help them sustain their current level of services by voting in favor of the one-cent general purpose tax on Tuesday.

Remember, you can register to vote at the polls — and the polling places just happen to be two entities needing your help — Worland Community Center and Ten Sleep Senior Center, providing a community service by providing enough space for voters to cast their ballots.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Every vote counts.

I hope to see you at the polls.