Wyoming prides itself on a strong community college system. The seven colleges around the state provide various educational opportunities, from liberal arts-focused degrees to technical certifications.Though residents from all 23 counties benefit from Wyoming's community colleges, only those in seven counties support the system through mill levies.In counties where the seven colleges are based — Park, Sheridan, Laramie, Natrona, Goshen, Fremont and Sweetwater — residents are required to pay mill levies. For residents of Park County, a four-mill property tax supports Northwest College.NWC and its six sister colleges certainly merit support. Those in each county should be proud of the colleges they contribute to — but residents statewide also should be responsible for supporting colleges they benefit from.Those who reap the benefits of the system should contribute tax dollars to community colleges, regardless of which county they call home.The issue has loomed for years and was heightened when two community colleges recently established campuses in neighboring counties. Though Albany and Campbell counties enjoy the benefits of campuses in Laramie and Gillette, respectively, residents in those counties aren't required to pay taxes toward the colleges.Previous proposals to establish a mill levy in counties with outreach services have failed, and leaders have grappled over the best approach. Though certain details, such as governance, still need to be hammered out, the Wyoming Community College Planning Task Force needs to address a statewide mill levy sooner rather than later.

Wyoming prides itself on a strong community college system. The seven colleges around the state provide various educational opportunities, from liberal arts-focused degrees to technical certifications.

Though residents from all 23 counties benefit from Wyoming's community colleges, only those in seven counties support the system through mill levies.

In counties where the seven colleges are based — Park, Sheridan, Laramie, Natrona, Goshen, Fremont and Sweetwater — residents are required to pay mill levies. For residents of Park County, a four-mill property tax supports Northwest College.

NWC and its six sister colleges certainly merit support. Those in each county should be proud of the colleges they contribute to — but residents statewide also should be responsible for supporting colleges they benefit from.

Those who reap the benefits of the system should contribute tax dollars to community colleges, regardless of which county they call home.

The issue has loomed for years and was heightened when two community colleges recently established campuses in neighboring counties.

Though Albany and Campbell counties enjoy the benefits of campuses in Laramie and Gillette, respectively, residents in those counties aren't required to pay taxes toward the colleges.

Previous proposals to establish a mill levy in counties with outreach services have failed, and leaders have grappled over the best approach.

Though certain details, such as governance, still need to be hammered out, the Wyoming Community College Planning Task Force needs to address a statewide mill levy sooner rather than later.