The 2017 “Sixth Penny Tax” Projects in Laramie County

Did you know that state law allows counties, in cooperation with cities and towns, to fund specific projects through a voluntary sales tax? It’s called “The Sixth Penny Tax.”

There are nine projects on the ballot this year.  For projects that are approved by voters, a “sixth penny” sales tax will be added to the purchases you make. When the specific amount is collected, the tax stops.

Here is more information on this year’s proposed projects:

Court Expansion (Prop. 1)

The City of Cheyenne seeks $9 million for the construction of a new Municipal Court facility to be located at 2101 O’Neil Ave. as an addition or remodel to the City of Cheyenne’s current government building. The facility would house three judges (two court judges and a juvenile judge) and administrative staff.

Laramie County seeks $9 million to remodel and expand the existing Laramie County Courthouse to provide courtroom and office space for a fourth District Court Judge authorized by the Wyoming Legislature along with building systems and physical plant upgrades.

County Jail Expansion (Prop. 2)

Laramie County seeks $16,176,680 to construct an addition on the existing Laramie County Detention Center located at 1910 Pioneer Ave., for the purpose of expanding inmate capactiy, for any additional administrative space, and for updating and improving existing infrastructure of the current facility.

Christensen Project (Prop. 3)

The City of Cheyenne seeks $15 million for The Christensen Road and Overpass Project which begins at Commerce Circle, near the I-80 and Campstool Road interchange in the center of the Cheyenne LEADS Business Parkway. The new road crosses the Union Pacific Railroad mainline, then continues north to US Highway 30. The length of the project is 1.25 miles. Constructed with the road and bridge project will be a new water main and storm sewer for drainage. The absence of the Christensen Project is a critical public safety concern. This relates to access and response times for fire, police and emergency personnel, particularly to the eastern portion of the LEADS Business Park and to the I-80/Campstool developments and nearby neighborhoods.

Multi-Purpose Event Facility (Prop. 4)

$9,885,000 and interest earned thereon to the Laramie County Fair Board to be used for the design, construction, equipping, and furnishing of a Multi-Purpose Facility at the Laramie County Archer Complex. The proposed facility will be an open-span building that will host a variety of events year-round for both residents and visitors, including Trade Shows, Expositions, Sporting Events, RV Rallies, Concerts, and Horse and Stock Shows. The Archer Complex was purchased in 2004 by Laramie County for the purpose of a Multifunctional Campus for citizens to use and enjoy year-round.

Proposition 5 ($11.970 million)

• Albin housing expansion
• Burns road, parking, watering improvements
• Pine Bluffs electric infrastructure improvements
• Cheyenne Street Improvements
• Cheyenne Greenway expansion/maintenance
• Albin emergency generators/water source
• Pine Bluffs clean water system renovation
• Pine Bluffs new public works facility
• Laramie County Fire District#1 construction of a new fire station

Proposition 6 ($11.969 million)

• Cheyenne mulitpurpose indoor turf facility
• Burns remodel/O&M of town owned facilities
• Albin (O&M) new water meter system
• Burns street maintenance
• Laramie County radio equipment/O&M
• Pine Bluffs refurbish recreational facilities

Proposition 7 ($14.870 million)

• Albin replace vehicle storage facility
• Burns dump truck and attachments
• Albin replace parking lot at Town Hall
• Pine Bluffs upgrade town cemetery
• Laramie County emergency services storage
• Cheyenne Construct Indoor Gymnasium/offices (O&M)
• Burns 4th Street sewer line completion (O&M)
• Cheyenne fire station improvements/fire engines

Proposition 8 ($8.848 million)

• Albin purchase utility pickup truck, toolboxes
• Cheyenne street improvements
• Albin sewer line replacement
• Pine Bluffs debt reduction
• Cheyenne purchase land East Community Park
• Pine Bluffs replace town equipment
• Burns Radios, Pagers, and other communication equipment

Proposition 9 ($11,700,500)

• Eastern Laramie County Solid Waste Disposal District purchase new scraper, shop addition
• Laramie County enhance emergency computers
• Laramie County Fire District #2 new station
• Cheyenne West Edge District enhancements
• Laramie County Sheriff video recording system
• Pine Bluffs street maintenance/repair program
• Albin replace existing water lines
• Albin Community Center repairs/maintenance
• Burns improvements to town parks
• Burns improvements to water and sewer system