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SPET

Voters next week must decide whether they want to save themselves $50 a year or approve public infrastructure projects that could cost $38 million over four years.

During Tuesday’s primary election, residents will decide whether to approve some or all of the 11 projects that would be funded by the 1-cent, specific purpose excise sales tax.

To reduce the sales tax rate by one penny per dollar, voters must reject every proposal. That penny amounts to 16 percent of existing sales tax throughout most of Teton County. It costs resident shoppers and businesses an estimated $5.4 million annually.

With 11 proposals, the 2010 SPET  ballot asks voters to approve more projects than have ever been proposed in the tax’s 25-year history... Full Story >>

About the 2010 SPET elections

Specific purpose excise tax election

     Eleven groups seeking a collective $38 million from the 1 percent, voter-approved sales tax.
     If all 11 specific purpose excise tax projects are approved by voters, it would take three to five years to collect the $38 million from the program. The tax generates about $9 million to $10 million annually in Teton County.
     The optional sales tax is paid by visitors and residents on most goods purchased within the county other than food. One consultant has estimated that visitors pay 40 percent of the tax. Historically, the sales tax has allowed local government to provide services and facilities that otherwise might not be funded without bonding or increasing mill levies and property taxes.
     Even if just one project is approved, sales tax will remain the same: 6 percent in the town and county and 8 percent in Teton Village. Propositions need a simple majority to pass.
     Projects that won voter approval for the current SPET tax will be fully funded by December. When that is accomplished, funding for new projects would begin.
     After funding is awarded by voters, the county treasurer will set a distribution schedule that would determine when projects could begin, though bonding based on those revenues is always an option and allows projects to start before the money is accrued.

Election Sections: Town | County | State | National | Schools

$4M requested for historical museum Valley schoolchildren can’t go on field trips to the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum because the current facility isn’t open when they’re in classes... Full Story >>

Energy project seeks $3.8M for upgrades If the town of Jackson replaced lights at Powderhorn Park, it could reduce energy use by 58 percent... Full Story >>

Hospital seeks tax funds for 3 departments In the oncology department at St. John’s Medical Center, a couch that sits in a waiting area doubles as spillover space when the department — a narrow corridor akin to a hallway — gets busy... Full Story >>

New trucks would help department fight rural fires Most areas of the county don’t have fire hydrants, so when firefighters respond to a blaze, they bring tenders that each carry 3,000 gallons of water... Full Story >>

As attendance rises, library wants space Since 2000, library attendance in the county has increased 122 percent, with more than 1,100 people visiting the main branch on an average weekday... Full Story >>

Gros Ventre bridge would link pathways An August ballot measure will request $850,000 for a pedestrian bridge across the Gros Ventre River as part of a pathway that will ultimately connect Jackson and Jenny Lake... Full Story >>

START wants to improve bus storage, maintenance If the START bus system is ever going to offer more routes around the valley, it needs more than $3 million to help fund new facilities near Karns Meadow, officials say... Full Story >>

Primary Election SPET results August, 20 2008

Big doubts about big jail August, 6 2008

Transportation dominates tax ballot options August, 6 2008

Why not consolidate law enforcement, then build? August, 6 2008

Jail population fed by in-and-out minor offenses July, 30 2008

Jail called inadequate July, 23 2008

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