Optional 1%, Voters will decide whether to continue added sales and use tax

In this year’s election, Weston County voters will be asked whether the county should continue the optional 1% sales and use tax. This tax is collected in addition to the 4% state sales tax, making the effective tax rate (when including the 1% tax) 5% in Weston County.

The full question reads: “Should Weston County, Wyoming continue to impose a sales and use tax at the rate of one percent (1%) upon retail sales of tangible personal property, admissions and services made within the county to raise funds for the general revenue?”

State law requires that the proposition receive majority approval to go into effect, and voters have the opportunity to vote on it every four years. If Weston County voters choose to not continue the tax, the tax will not be collected beginning in July 2025.

The 1% sales tax contributed $262,744.20 to the county’s budget in fiscal year 2025, according to a document on the Weston County Clerk’s page on the county’s website. The funding supported projects and programs that included Mallo Camp ($40,434.20), Campbell County ambulance services (Newcastle Ambulance Service $31,050), courthouse security ($26,000), GIS land records ($24,000), Upton ambulance services ($15,000), capital projects ($15,000), Newcastle senior meals ($14,025) and the children’s center ($12,750).

New projects this year, as the News Letter Journal previously reported, are the Upton cardboard compactor ($2,500) and the nonprofit WYO Help ($6,000).

The budget amount for additional 1% sales tax projects for fiscal 2025 is $24,840 less than in fiscal 2024.