Property Tax Forum well attended

Over 40 people came to the Property Tax Forum Monday in Basin. The forum was sponsored by The Wyoming Taxpayers Association. It was held in the Basin Community Center. The Association’s mission is “To advocate sound tax policy for a healthy Wyoming Economy.” They do it through research, education and advocacy. 

Hank Hoversland, Executive Director of the Association was the speaker. He was introduced by Basin Town Council Woman Linda Weeks. 

Hoversland explained he was not there to advocate regarding Prop One.  It will be on the November 3 ballot in Wyoming. The Association has taken a position on Prop 1. They are not in support of it.  However, the forum is to “talk about property taxes in general, what you have at your disposable as citizens and homeowners, if you qualify for that so you can sign up. Then talk a little bit about the potential impacts of Prop 1 if it does pass. 

The Prop 1 Initiative is named “Homeowner’s Primary Residence Property Tax Exemption Measure.” The Initiative 1 would create a homeowner’s property tax exemption that exempts 50% of a primary residence›s assessed value from property taxation. Initiative 1 states that the exemption would apply beginning in tax year 2026 

 Hoversland quoted Brenda Henson, Former Director of the Wyoming Department of Revenue.  She explained taxes like this. “Taxes are the structure by which we, as citizens, pool our resources to pay for infrastructure we could not afford on our own. The goal for those responsible for administering those taxes is to ensure taxpayers are paying their fair share of the tax burden. No more, no less. It is the responsibility of the legislature to determine what that amount is.”

After his presentation, Hoversland took questions from the audience members. Those members included supporters and opponents of Prop 1.  

Because of acoustics it was hard for most attendees to hear what was being asked and in some cases stated by the audience members. Hoversland did repeat some of the questions/statements. At times some audience members spoke in the microphone to ask their questions and/or to express their position. Those included Mart Hinkley, Phil Hartman, Lynette Murray, Cheryl Aguiar, Gerald Crist, Eddie Sjostrom, Vince Vanata, Cheryl Hunt, Scott Brown, Bruce Jolley, Senator Ed Cooper, Basin Mayor CJ Duncan, Ted Menke and Tim Lassiter. 

A power point that Hoversland used for the discussion is available to the public. Send requests to hank@wyotax.org