Laramie County Commissioner: 60 Positions May Need To Be Cut

Laramie County Commissioner Linda Heath says a bill pending in the state legislature could force cutting 60 county positions, or else cuts in services.

Public Clamoring For Property Tax Cuts

State lawmakers are trying to address property tax increases that have skyrocketed in recent years. House Revenue Committee Chair Tony Locke [R-Natrona County] told Townsquare Media recently that statewide property tax valuations  went from $387 million in 2019 to $657 million last year. Rep. Ann Lucas [R-Laramie County] says many residents are either being forced from their homes or being forced to consider taking on a second job to pay their property taxes.

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In response, several bills have been filed this session to try to address the public outcry for property tax relief.

Heath made the comments specifically in regard to Senate File 69. That bill would cut residential property taxes by 50 percent at properties valued up to $1 million dollars.

That bill has no backfill provisions for local governments.

Another bill under consideration, House Bill 169, similarly would cut residential property taxes by 50 percent on valuations under $1 million. But that bill would include a 50 percent backfill from the state to local governments for lost revenues.

Both Senate File 69 and House Bill 169 would sunset after two years. That will give state voters time to consider a Ballot Initiative on property taxes in the 2026 general election.

Heath Said SF 69 Would Hit Laramie County Hard

Heath says that if Senate File 69 becomes law it would cost Laramie County $7.6 million annually. That is on top of an existing property tax exemption that was signed into law by Governor Mark Gordon in 2024 that Heath says costs the county $3.2 million.

When asked about the potential impacts, she had these comments ''Just the SF 69 impact could mean 60 employees lose their jobs. That's a lot. If we don't cut employees, then services will be cut. I hope we can meet some place in the middle, but still too early to tell.''

Heath's comments follow comments earlier this week  from Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak saying he could have to cut 25 positions and several programs if Senate File 69 becomes law.

But some supporters of property tax relief say local officials are trying to scare people with alarmist predictions about what may happen if property tax cuts are enacted. They say most Wyoming counties, including Laramie County, have enough money set aside in reserves to offset the cuts.

Rep. Lucas said in a recent interview that cuts can be made, and that officials tend to immediately invoke the specter of cuts in law enforcement and fire protection rather than trying to find ways to reasonably cut spending.