Laramie County Sheriff: Property Tax Bill Could Force Big Cuts
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak says a property tax cut bill that has passed the Wyoming Senate and is now pending in the House of Representatives could force a $2 million budget cut in the sheriff's office, and the layoff of as many as 25 employees.
He also says several programs would have to be cut.
That's according to a news release from the Laramie County Sheriff's Office. The release also included the photo shown above.
Senate File 69 recently passed the Wyoming Senate and is pending in the House of Representatiives. The bill would cut property taxes on residential properties in the state valued at up to $1 million by 50 percent. The bill provides no backfill of state money to replace the revenues lost to county government by the implementation of that cut. Sen. Owen Driskill [R-Devils Tower], in floor debate on the bill, said including any backfill would amount to socialism, since the money would have to come from elsewhere, primarily taxes on Wyomong's energy industries.
But Kozak says if the bill becomes law it could have a devestating impact on his agency.
As it currently stands, SF69 will require public safety to carry the burden of these tax cuts while the state government remains fully funded. In fact, the State is requesting to add over 35 new positions and over $100 million to their budget while the Legislature, through SF69, will cause me to lay off 25 employees. This does not make any sense and is irresponsible.
The sheriff went on to list potential cuts:
Reduction in workforce:
4 School Resource Deputies
3 Detention Deputies
6 Registered Nurses
2 Jail Mental Health/
1 Jail Programs Counselor
2 Professional Staff Positions
7 Juvenile Crisis Center Counselor
Programs Terminated:
School Resource Program
Jail Mental Health Pod
Juvenile Crisis Center
Mental Health Treatment Court
287g Immigration Program
Inmate Community Work Detail
Sheriff Body Camera Program
The sheriff also referenced a billboard that he placed in downtown Denver last year
Last summer, I placed a billboard in downtown Denver, which pictured four motivated deputies with a message, “Work in Wyoming where breaking the law is still illegal and cops
are funded!” The billboard received international attention, because people were tired of politicians who defunded the police. The message behind the billboard helped us to attract professionals who moved to Wyoming because they believed public safety is valued by our elected representatives.
The defunding results of SF69 will cause me to lay off several of those professionals who moved to Wyoming to escape the woke policies of California and Colorado. I urge the Legislature to not California our Wyoming and take care of our first responders.
Supporters Of Property Tax Reduction Decry ''Scare Tactics
Supporters of the idea of reducing property taxes in the legislature have said local governments have enough reserves on hand to absorb the impacts of cuts in revenue.
In a recent interview on the ''Weekend in Wyoming'' program on am 650, KGAB, Rep. Steve Johnson [R-Laramie County] said Laramie County has $278 million in reserves on hand. ''That's over a quarter of a million dollars" Johnson said, adding "and if you think police and fire departments are going to suffer from that, it's not true."
During the same interview, Rep. Ann Lucas [R-Laramie County] said "Our local governments don't ever seem to want to talk about how to reduce spending. They can't even feature it. I've never heard one of them say "we can and should reduce spending."
She says they instead immediately start talking about cuts in law enforcement and fire protection. But she says she thinks there are ways to reduce spending at the local level.
It should be noted that interview focused on the concept of reducing property taxes as a general concept and not Senate File 69 specifically. At one point nine different bills aimed at cutting property taxes had been introduced.
Lucas also said in that interview that high property taxes are forcing Wyoming residents, especially seniors, out of their homes.
Kozak: Contact Your Legislator
Kzak ended the release with the following comments
Call to Action: If you support your Sheriff’s Office and Fire Departments, let your legislators know that you do not want them to California our Wyoming.
Laramie County House of Representatives who will vote on this bill:
Landon.Brown@wyoleg.gov Gary.Brown@wyoleg.gov John.Eklund@wyoleg.gov
Lee.Filer@wyoleg.gov Rob.Geringer@wyoleg.gov Jeremy.Haroldson@wyoleg.gov
Steve.Johnson@wyoleg.gov Ann.Lucas@wyoleg.gov Bob.Nicholas@wyoleg.gov
Daniel.Singh@wyoleg.govClarence.Styvar@wyoleg.govJacob.Wasserburger@wyoleg.gov
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