A message from county commissioner candidate Peter Long:

JACKSON, Wyo. — We have a property tax crisis in Teton County.

Families are being taxed out of their homes. Our critical workers, our retirees, our friends and neighbors are being pushed out of our community because they cannot afford the taxes. Rents are skyrocketing as the bill gets passed on to our young people and our most vulnerable residents.

Property taxes increased by 36% on average this year—and by more than 300% for some families over the past four years. We are now witnessing the consequences.

On the campaign trail, I’ve heard from grandparents living in campers with their children and grandkids because they cannot afford these soaring rates. I have talked with retirees who have had to step back into the workforce to cover property taxes that in some cases doubled this year. Long-time residents, renters and homeowners alike, have told me through tears that this is their last season in Teton County because of out-of-control increases.

Meanwhile, this year Teton County approved a more than $95 million budget—nearly a 40% increase year-over-year. 

Instead of using their time to lower property taxes, your local government is finding ways to spend the windfall—adding even more administration and employees, exacerbating the housing shortage even further.

Once these expenditures are in place, they are not going away, making it even more difficult to work for tax relief.

As your next County Commissioner, I will fight to: 

  • Reduce our mill levies and rein in property tax spending 
  • Increase local property tax relief and make it more accessible to those in need
  • Work with state leaders to pass a cap on annual increases for working families and retirees

As this issue has reached boiling point, there’s been a lot of finger pointing and shoulder shrugging that “there’s just not much we can do.” I don’t buy that.

If elected, I will fight to bring down rates here at home by reducing local mill levies and bringing greater accountability to your tax dollars. By contrast, some candidates have suggest raising mill levies, which are the County’s controls to raise or lower rates. I will fight to expand assistance and ensure it reaches those in need.

On the Commission, I will work with state leaders and be your advocate in Cheyenne to get a legislative fix—namely, capping annual increases—across the Governor’s desk.

I have worked in the State Legislature with leaders from both parties in the Wyoming Senate and House. Already, I have spoken at length with the Revenue Committee Chairs and the Governor’s Office to help move this issue forward. 

We have an opportunity to lead from the local level, but it will take fresh new leadership that will quit kicking the can down road and do the hard work to implement pragmatic, viable solutions.

I am asking for your support. Please vote Peter Long for Teton County Commissioner. Together, we can address our property tax crisis head on and ensure Teton County remains a place that our working class can call home.  

Vote Peter Long for Teton County Commissioner on November 8 | www.LongforTetonCounty.com