The Fremont County Commission has decided to move forward with the current round of local applications it has received for economic development funding through the optional half percent sales tax that failed renewal this year.
After those applications are processed, however, the commissioners said they would suspend the economic development grant program, leaving it up to the commission to decide where to allocate the remainder of the county’s half percent sales tax funds.
The fund currently holds about $1.4 million and is expected to generate an additional $850,000 before the tax goes away, according to reports from this week’s commission meeting.
Options
The commissioners discussed several options for the future use of unspent half percent sales tax dollars, which could go to support commercial air service, ground transportation, the county ambulance system, a new hospital, an assisted living facility, or a recreation center, for example.
They decided to wait and see what local municipalities do with their unobligated half percent sales tax funds before making a decision.
Last week, the Lander City Council talked about suspending its economic development grant program and using the rest of its half percent sales tax revenues to support commercial air service and ground transportation.
This week, the Riverton City Council said it would consider its current round of applications for economic development funding, but after that process is completed, council members said they would like to use the remaining half percent sales tax money to support commercial air service.
Riverton’s economic development account currently holds about $84,400, staff said, and it is expected to accrue another $430,000 before the sales tax goes away.