Despite the fact that my contemptible opinion means absolutely nothing, I would vote for a 1 cent sales tax.

Pardon the pun, but it makes sense.

Officials from around Park County are deliberating the notion of soliciting voter opinion again. Municipalities around the county need more money for roads, bridges and sewer lines.

If the city of Powell promises to spend its share on roads, I’d endorse it in a heartbeat.

Absaroka Street, particularly between Third and First streets, is pretty beat up. The asphalt patches laid last week could prove insufficient for Absaroka’s high volume of traffic. Division Street could use some repairs too. 

Only one other county in Wyoming has a 4 percent sales tax. The rest levy 5 or 6 percent. I won’t advocate following another county’s lead, but if an extra penny makes life a little better in our little corner of Wyoming, why not?

A 1 cent sales tax initiative failed miserably in 2012.

Prior to the vote, officials estimated another penny on the buck would generate $6.5 million per year for Park County, with tourists paying 30 percent of it. Even if Powell’s cut was only one-third or one-fourth, that would buy tons of asphalt or perhaps the wherewithal to seek construction bids on a new street or two.

In 2006, voters did approve a 1-cent capital facilities sales tax that raised $13.2 million to fund the Cody library and pool projects in Powell and Meeteetse. But, once the $13.2 million was reached, the tax was terminated.

From the 4 cents on the dollar folks currently pay in Park County, 70 percent is allocated for the state. If that extra penny passed at the polls, all those pennies would proliferate with every cent tagged for Park County or municipal purses.

How far does a buck go?

These days dollar bills are scarce and the few folks can lay their hands on have finite buying power. Still, another 1 percent duty on the dollar will likely go unnoticed by most. And, how many people toss pennies into the trays on convenience store counters when they get their change? Bouncing over potholes will certainly be more discernible than pennies jangling in a pocket. 

It takes the consent of at least two of the city or town councils in Powell, Cody and Meeteetse and the Park County Commission to get the tax on the ballot.

Why not put it on the ballot? After all, voters are the ultimate litmus test. But, before the public goes down that November road, it must become a public discussion. Speak up: Talk to your neighbors and your elected officials.