Penny tax moves ahead — Commissioners approve next step for sixth-penny tax measure

The Weston County commissioners voted on April 21 to place a proposed sixth-penny specific-purpose tax on the general election ballot, marking a significant step forward after weeks of discussion about scope and feasibility.

The decision follows earlier concerns from commissioners that an initial, wide-ranging list of projects could result in a tax lasting decades. Since then, Newcastle worked to refine the proposal, focusing on a more targeted set of priority projects.

Mayor Tyrel Owens said on May 4 during the City Council meeting that Newcastle and Upton are now collaborating to draft the ballot language for the measure, which will ultimately be decided by voters.

If approved, the tax would fund a mix of infrastructure, equipment and community projects in both communities. 

For Upton, the prioritized list includes a replacement ambulance estimated at $300,000, a citywide communications system at $140,000, street surface improvements totaling $500,000 and a new public swimming pool estimated at $5 million.

Newcastle’s proposal focuses heavily on street and infrastructure work, including projects such as reconstruction of Rodeo and Sheridan streets; improvements to Cascade, Bonnie Brae and Roundup streets; replacement of streetlights on West Main Street; and multiple full-depth reclamation projects tied to water and sewer upgrades.

Additional projects under consideration include work on Forrest Hill, Warwick and Summit streets, along with a potential county project involving a mill and overlay on Morrissey Road.

Officials have said the tax would function as a specific purpose tax, meaning revenue can only be used for the projects listed in the ballot measure and would sunset once those costs are fully paid.

It was noted that other funding avenues are being explored for several of the projects, including the Upton pool. If additional outside funding is secured, the tax needed to pay for that project would decrease. 

Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff has previously noted that timelines for the projects remain tentative and depend on whether the tax is approved and how much revenue it generates. Without the tax, he said, most street projects not tied to water and sewer work would likely be delayed.

He also emphasized that the city currently lacks grant funding for street improvements, leaving local tax revenue or borrowing as the primary funding options.

Commissioners had urged local leaders to scale the proposal to improve its chances with voters, warning that an overly ambitious plan could undermine support.

With the vote to proceed, the focus now shifts to finalizing ballot language and educating the public ahead of the general election.

Sixth-penny tax projects

Upton projects

Replacement ambulance: $300,000

Citywide communications system:
$140,000

Street surface improvements: $500,000

Public swimming pool: $5,000,000

Upton projects total: $5,940,000

Newcastle street and infrastructure
projects (4-year plan highlights)

Rodeo/Sheridan Street reconstruction:
$1,500,000

Cascade, Bonnie Brae, Roundup:
$1,200,000

Replace streetlights on W. Main St.:
$600,000

Forrest Hill water/sewer street work:
$2,386,529

W. Warwick/N. Summit reconstruction:
$1,772,000

Newcastle projects (4-year list):

$5,686,529

County project

Morrissey Road mill and overlay: $400,000

County project: $400,000

Combined total: $12,026,529