Our View: Best 6th-penny uses

We can say with certainty that there will be a large push to put a special-purpose tax initiative on the 2020 ballot. Meetings and discussions have already taken place and some municipal officials have been talking about potential uses since the last tax, passed in 2012, ended.

The tax, commonly referred to as the sixth-penny tax, has been an important tool in renovating East 2nd South Street, completing improvements at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County and expanding the Rock Springs Recreation Center, among others. A small increase in sales tax has resulted in a lot of public benefits during earlier uses.

In Green River, we believe the best uses are in renovating the city’s streets -- something Public Works Director Mark Westenskow has vocally supported in the past. However, the tax also represents an opportunity to replace the aging cast iron water main along Flaming Gorge Way. If untouched, we can expect to see more water breaks and repair work in downtown Green River, which impacts both residences and businesses. Any sixth-penny tax initiative from Green River needs to include this project in its list.

Another initiative that should be placed in Green River’s list of projects is funding to help pay for the planned mechanical wastewater treatment plant.

While the project is still years out and will be paid for through a variety of means, such as reserves developed through the waste water enterprise fund and grants, not including a portion of the project cost on the sixth-penny ballot leaves money on the table. This project is exactly what the tax is often used for -- infrastructure improvements. To not use the tax would put an undue burden on Green River’s residents, especially since the tax is paid by anyone who makes a purchase in Sweetwater County.

Another project the tax could be used for, is a joint listing by the city and Sweetwater County governments to save the Carnegie Library.

The building is a county landmark and funds could be raised to renovate and repair the library, saving it from eventual destruction. The building could be used as additional office space for either government. From a public relations standpoint, the city and county would be praised for finding a way to save the historic structure.