Voters support sales, lodging taxes by wide margins

WORLAND — Washakie County voters overwhelmingly approved continuing the one-cent general purpose tax and the 2% lodging tax on Tuesday.

The sales tax was approved by 69.7% of the voters casting ballots on Election Day, with 2,125 in favor and 925 opposed. The tax will be distributed to eight entities over the next four years — Town of Ten Sleep, City of Worland, Worland and Ten Sleep senior centers, Crisis Prevention and Response Center, Worland Community Center Complex, Worland Youth Learning Center and Washakie Development Association.

The lodging tax, with funding going to the Washakie County Visitor and Tourism Board, was approved by 75% of the voters, 2,281 in favor and 740 opposed.

SALES TAX

Excitement was expressed by the entities who will continue to receive funding from the general purpose tax, also known as the fifth cent, and to the two new entities who will receive funding for the first time starting next July. The current distribution continues through June 30, 2023.

Ten Sleep Mayor Ernie Beckley said, “I think it shows what a benefit the one-cent sales tax is, when you have that big of a percentage of the people that recognize and vote for it, that shows what an advantage it is to the community, to the county.

“I am happy it passed. It does do a lot for a lot of people in this county and I’m very happy people are recognizing it.”

Worland Mayor Jim Gill said the vote was a testament to the citizens of Washakie County and he appreciates the support.

“We can continue our street improvement initiative,” he said and continue to make the Worland an even better place for its citizens.

“I am tickled to death. Thank you voters,” he added.

Worland Youth Learning Center Director Amanda Macy said, “I am very grateful to the residents of Washakie County who voted in favor of the sales tax continuation. I’m sure the other entities will agree, this is very necessary for all of our entities and will allow us to continue to do the work that we do in Washakie County in sustaining our programs and keeping the money here in the county.”

Washakie Development Association Executive Director LeAnn Baker said, “After this many years of having the fifth cent in place and the people being able to see the kind of good works it does, I think the community truly understands we have to help ourselves in order to leverage this money to keep these organizations that are vital to the health of our community.”

As far as WDA, Baker said, “We’re energized to get some confirmation that the community is interested in business retention, expansion and attraction and understands that infrastructure is paramount.”

Crisis Prevention and Response Center Director Karina Rice said, “I am very happy it passed. As the state and federal funding gets tighter, having this will be so beneficial for the population that we serve in our community.”

She added that the tax is beneficial but it also shows that the committee has work to do with the percentage that voted against to show how beneficial the tax is to the community.

Steve Hunt said, “I thought it was fantastic.” He said the strong support shows that the organizations are doing what they said they would do from the previous elections and it has “continued to keep our communities strong and vibrant. We really appreciate everybody’s vote.”

Hunt said with nearly 70% support it may be time to consider making the tax permanent.

Worland Senior Center Executive Director Wendy Fredricks said, “We are humbled and grateful for the continued community support.”

She said having the tax funding allows the senior center to continue providing services at the level they are currently.

“We can continue to support our senior community and assist them to age in place,” she said.

“I don’t have to cut my budget and I am pretty happy.”

Chris Kocher, who served as chairman of the Washakie One Cent Education Committee said, “I am very glad to see our community and our county has chosen to support the tax to help provide for themselves.”

He said as the county moves forward the tax funding is something the organizations need to function.

Kocher added that it is great to see the two communities and county come together and support the tax to help the county grow.

Wahakie Visitor and Tourism Board memberGeorge Sheaff said, “The voters have spoken once again. They have supported our lodging tax again by a wide margin, this year is really important, we not only continue to support our existing room and lodging owners, but we have the opportunity to grow this segment of our economy.”