‘It’s on the ballot’: Shoshoni Town Council declines to vote on .75 percent sales tax resolution

(Shoshoni, WY) – The Shoshoni Town Council has opted not to vote on a resolution approving the placement of an optional .75 percent economic development sales tax measure on primary election ballots in August to support public ground transportation, commercial air service, and the local ambulance system. 

The Fremont County Commission and a majority of municipal governments have already approved the resolution, council members pointed out last week, so the optional sales tax measure is going to appear on local primary election ballots this summer regardless of Shoshoni’s vote. 

“I don’t think we need to vote on this,” Councilmember Jordan Whitener said during a regular meeting June 23. “(It) doesn’t matter which way we vote – it’s on the ballot.”

A vote in favor of the resolution would demonstrate Shoshoni’s support for placing the optional sales tax measure on the ballot, Mayor Joel Highsmith pointed out.

Councilmember Jake Stetler said he supports the measure being on the ballot this summer – but he still agreed with Whitener. 

“I don’t know why we would need to take any action,” Stetler said, though he added that, if the sales tax measure passes, “it would do great good for our community.”

Earlier this month, the Shoshoni Town Council voted not to sign a proposed agreement outlining a funding distribution plan for the revenues generated from the potential three-quarter percent sales tax.

As a result of that decision, Highsmith said Shoshoni will be able to utilize any revenues it receives from the tax, if it passes, to support its own local ambulance and ground transportation systems.

“The Town of Shoshoni could receive some benefit from this tax,” he said. “But if we don’t want to vote on (the resolution), that’s fine. … We had this conversation, which I believe was a good thing.”