Tax ends six months earlier than expectedPenny pinchers rejoice — Park County's 1-cent sales tax expires today.Starting Oct. 1, purchases in the county will be taxed at a 4 percent rate rather than 5 percent.

However, it could be a relatively short reprieve. In 2010, local voters may be asked if they want to renew the capital facilities tax to cover the rising cost of garbage disposal (see related story).

Voters approved a $13.2-million capital facilities tax in November 2006 to help fund three community development projects — $9 million for a new Powell pool, $2.2 million for a new Cody library and $2 million for major renovations to the Meeteetse pool.

The Park County Library in Cody was completed in early October 2008, the Meeteetse pool re-opened June 6, and the new Powell Aquatic Center at Homesteader Park is slated for completion in early March.

Early projections saw the tax, which began in April 2007, coming to an end in April 2010. However, spending in the county was higher than expected (roughly $1.4 billion from April 2007 to Sept. 2009), and the tax ends after two and a half years, rather than three.

With the conclusion of the tax, Park County will join Fremont and Sublette as the only counties in the state with the minimum 4-percent sales tax; 11 counties tax sales at a 5-percent rate and nine tax at a 6-percent clip.

Park County's $13.2-million total actually was raised by early August, but, according to state statute, the tax had to remain in place until the end of the quarter, which is Sept. 30.

By Sept. 9, some $14.2 million had been raised by the 1-cent tax. The more than $1 million of overages will be set aside in a fund for one year, said Park County Treasurer Nena Graham-Burke. That will allow for any refunds to businesses who mistakenly continue to collect and pay the extra cent, she said. After a year has passed, whatever extra money remains will be split proportionally among the three projects, and can be used to cover any additional expenses.

Any items purchased before Oct. 1 are taxed at 5 percent, even if they're paid for afterward; that will lead to funds continuing to trickle in for some time.

“We're going to see some big money for a couple months,” Graham-Burke said.

A 2006 study conducted by University of Wyoming economics professor David T. Taylor found that the 1-cent surcharge would cost the average household an extra $258 per year (about 29 cents per individual per day).

“It's an easy way to raise money,” said Graham-Burke. “I don't think any of us feel it unless we buy a vehicle.”