JACKSON, Wyo. — Voters across the Equality State weighed in on a hotly contested property tax proposition on Tuesday, ultimately knocking aside the initiative that would have allowed full-time residents to exempt half of the assessed value of their home from property taxes.
Proposition One, the “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming through a Homeowner’s Property Exemption,” did not pass. Data provided by the Wyoming Secretary of State’s office showed 105,200 voters in the state were against the initiative, while 80,031 were in favor. More than 6,000 voters left that section blank. Only Lincoln and Park counties saw majority support for Prop. One.
Teton County voters were opposed to the proposition to the tune of 62%; out of 10,535 ballots cast in the county, 6,416 of those included votes against Prop. One. More than 200 county voters left the section blank.
Supporters of the initiative argued that property owners deserved relief from skyrocketing property tax bills. Opponents said the lost tax revenue would gut local services with no plans to replace budget money for local schools, ambulances and snow plows.
A newsletter sent by the Teton County Republican Party on Oct. 18 encouraged constituents to vote in favor of Prop. One: “Remember, your government and associations want to keep the increased revenue brought in by the state due to the ever-increasing assessed values of your properties. A larger assessed value equates to higher property taxes, which means more money for them to spend (or sit on). Offering this exemption to qualified homeowners will NOT break the bank at all. It will put us back to the same revenue we had in 2022 – and that’s assuming all qualified homeowners apply for the exemption. Not everyone will. Stop being mislead by propaganda that perpetuates false claims.”
Opponents of the initiative included Gov. Mark Gordon, who contended the passing of Prop. One would be “the first step in what could be a further call to completely dismantle a system of taxation Wyoming has relied upon since before statehood.”
Those seeking relief from steep property taxes in Teton County might have a few options available to them. Learn about available exemptions and the annual refund program on the County’s website.
