JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County voters will have a chance to learn more about the proposed Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) to fund a new Justice Center, which they will vote on in November, at a virtual meeting Wednesday, August 7.
Teton County Attorney Keith Gingrey will present at the event. The session, which takes place at 12 p.m., is part of a “Lunch and Learn” series on the proposed SPET hosted by the county and the Town of Jackson.
Topics Gingrey will discuss include what a SPET is, why it’s proposed and how long it takes to acquire funds, according to a Facebook post by the county.
The new Justice Center, which would replace the current Teton County Courthouse and Detention Center, will cost an estimated $118 million. The county has budgeted $30 million for the project and is seeking to make up the remaining $88 million through the SPET.
The Board of County Commissioners approved the proposition to put the Justice Center SPET on the ballot June 18, and the town followed suit on July 15.
If voters approve the SPET on November 5, the county will start collecting an additional penny of tax on goods and services (excluding groceries). The county estimates it will take about 4.5 years for revenues to pay for the Justice Center, but is aiming to start construction in 2025.
Teton County launched two new websites on July 30 that offer a view of what a new Justice Center would look like.
The town and county will host three more virtual meetings on the Justice Center SPET on the following dates:
- Wednesday, September 11 at 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 9 at 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 30 at 12 p.m.
Information on the meetings and their topics are available at engagetetoncountywy.com.
