JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Town Council discussed SPET project ideas during their workshop yesterday Feb. 22.
The town council has previously outlined their priorities but will need to nail down a list of SPET projects ahead of a joint retreat with the Board of County Commissioners in March.
The SPET items the town and county select may appear on the November 2022 ballot. According to the staff report, SPET (Specific Purpose Excise Tax) collected $21,175,000 in 2021.
Councilor Jonathan Schechter pointed out that in less than five years, $100 million could be collected to fund the community. “I would like to see a good chunk of that go to housing priorities.”
Schechter wasn’t alone with prioritizing housing. Every council member reiterated their commitment to funding housing.
Councilor Jessica Sell Chambers asked Town Manager Larry Pardee if there are any data trends from past elections on SPET items that pass or fail. Sell Chambers shared concerns about having a $50 million housing item on the ballot and it failing, rather than breaking down housing into multiple ballot items.
Three employee housing projects are listed in the staff report: 24-26 units at Karns Meadow, three lots at Flat Creek Drive and an estimated $2.5-$3.5 million project on East Hansen.
Other items included increasing early childhood education supply in the community by using the town’s current properties and acquiring new properties for long-term leases.
Environmental projects like electric vehicle charging stations and a community shared solar site were also discussed. Pedestrian and mobility improvements and complete streets projects were also listed as council priorities.
Vice Mayor Arne Jorgensen also discussed adding a SPET item for “unforeseen COVID-19 cost correction” for past SPET items. Jorgensen said that about 15% of a previous SPET item for $5.5 million was lost due to construction and supply chain problems.
“The purchasing power that the voters voted on, we could correct that,” Jorgensen said.
The council did not move a motion specifying exactly what projects they all agreed on during the meeting but asked staff to explore the items they discussed.
