Council member Lombard voices support for property tax cap resolution

WORLAND — Council member Kreg Lombard asked Mayor Jim Gill and the council to support 2022 Wyoming Association of Municipalities resolution that would support a limit on annual increases in property tax growth.

The resolution is bring brought forward from the Town of Jackson. In the resolution it states that property taxes in Teton County are expected to increase 30% to 50%.

According to the resolution, “such dramatic excalation year over year drives out long-time families and residents that cannot keep up with costs. A homestead exemption or a limit or cap on the amount property taxes can increase in a given year could provide significant relief … the Town of Jackson supports, and urges WAM to support tools for limiting the rate of increase of property tax in a given year in our state.”

Lombard said his property tax in 2020 increased by $29. Over the next two years it has increased $382.

“There should be a cap. We should really fight for this one,” Lombard said.

Gill is the voting delegate for the city at this week’s WAM convention in Laramie. He said he would take Lombard’s concerns to the convention.

In other business at Tuesday night’s regular council meeting:

•The council awarded the bid for the Block 13 Evert Addition alley concrete paving project to McClellan and MacQueen for $165,170.25. Engineering representative Mike Donnell said they were the lone bidder but it was below their estimate for the project.

•The council approved the 2022-23 fiscal year budget on second reading. Total budget is $11.6 million with the general fund at $5.3 million, capital projects at $728,000, water fund at $2.46 million, sewer fund at $1.7 million and sanitation fund at $1.2 million.

The curb/gutter and business loan budget is at $80,000 in the budget and the agency fund for Pioneer Square and the Tree Board, is at $31,000.

Third reading will be at the June 21 meeting.

•The Worland Community Center sent a request for the city to move dumpsters to the back grass are for 2022 Culture Fest on Saturday, June 18.

They also requested to allow open container in the area for The Warehouse to sell beer and wine coolers. Signs will be posted and there will be wristbands used to signify those who have had IDs checked.

The requests were approved.

•The council approved Ordinance 864 to change the zone at 2313 and 2401 Big Horn Avenue from manufactured house residential to general business to include the expansion area of the Worland Campground.

•Police Chief Gabe Elliott reported that there were two fentanyl overdoses in the city last week. He said both persons were able to be revived.

He said he wanted the council and the public to be aware that fentanyl is in the community. He said they are aware and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is aware and they are working to combat the use.

He also reported that since April there have been 480 ordinance violations with 218 related to property maintenance including weeds, junk and tree heights.