Dear Editor:

On Nov. 3 the voters will have the opportunity to vote on the 1% general purpose tax for essential services and capital expenditures. We are voting YES.

Twenty-one of the 23 counties across the State of Wyoming have voted in years past to support the fifth penny tax in their counties as revenues have decreased across the state. Park County, the Town of Meeteetse, the City of Powell and the City of Cody recognize revenue generated from sales and use tax, will be insufficient with increasing demands for services and infrastructure in the foreseeable future.

We encourage everyone who depends on these services to vote YES.

The 1 cent tax will be used for general purpose and capital expenditures. Park County and the cities have identified projects the new money will maintain and support. All of these essential services are projects citizens demand and expect from their local government.

The elected officials in Park County and our municipalities are not money seeking politicians but your neighbors and friends working on your behalf to bring the services the citizens request and demand across our communities.  We are certain these elected officials take their oath and fiduciary responsibilities to the citizens seriously and oversee the budget faithfully not only when budgets are set but throughout the fiscal calendar. We support our current county and municipal leaders and the thoughtful approach they take in making the tough decisions each year to bring the best services possible to our communities.

Since declining revenue forecasts do not appear to be a short-term trend, your support of the 1 cent general purpose tax NOW is important to the quality of service our local governments are able to deliver.

The 1 cent tax will support the following local services, projects and many more not listed: public safety and maintenance — vehicle and equipment; building maintenance and facility upgrades; county roads and municipal streets/ asphalt overlaying and repairs; 50/50 sidewalk program, cost share programs; American Disability Act (ADA) improvements/requirements; senior citizens facilities; Park County Animal Shelter; school resource officers; expand and improve public parking areas; sewage treatment facilities; easements for storm drainage; bridges, culverts and signage; law enforcement; 911 call center; county health services; library projects; renovation projects; recreational projects; dog parks maintenance and expansion; technological upgrades; waste disposal; search and rescue.

We need to fund projects and local government services our citizens expect. Please VOTE YES on the “One Cent”.

Jill Shockley Siggins, Cody

Loren Grosskopf, Cody

Bucky Hall, Cody

Timothy J. Morrison, Meeteetse

Former Park County Commissioners