Jackson, Wyoming — Two environment-related SPET items related to land and energy conservation will be put to vote this year.
Below is a brief overview of what will appear on your ballot and how the funds will be used. Unlike other of his SPET items, these two proposals do not include cost overrun planning because potential projects are not related to construction or funds are used to match the funds raised. there is no.
SPET stands for Special Purpose Sales Tax, which in Teton County is a voter-approved 1-cent sales tax on most goods and services, except prepared foods such as groceries.
SPET 101: How it works
- The annual SPET collection is estimated at $21 million.
- 2019 funding is estimated to be fully allocated by the end of December 2023.
- For SPET measures voted in 2022, funds will be allocated to recipient institutions from January 2024.
- Projects that require less funding are not necessarily the first to be funded.
- Funds are allocated monthly based on percentages.
Land Conservation Opportunities in Teton County
“The Teton County Scenic Preserve Trust has established a State $8,000,000 to acquire a trust or private land interest in the Teton County.”
The applicant for the project is a friend of Munger Mountain, who originally requested $10 million.
Friends of Munger Mountain was formed in 2021 “in response to the threat of developing the 640-acre Munger Mountain State Schools Trust Land.”
The incorporated association said: In some cases, this pressure can lead to misplaced commercial developments and other activities. ”
According to the application, the parcels they plan to research include land at Munger Mountain and Highway 390 State Schools, but note that funding is not limited to these properties.
Friends of Munger Mountain will offer a 20-year protective lease for the Munger Mountain parcel upon issuance of a request for proposal from SLIB.
Since there are no construction projects, there are no cost overruns to consider. Friends of Munger Mountain will combine SPET funds with individual donations. They will also have support from other organizations such as the Jackson Hole Land Trust, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Wyoming Outdoor Council.
Energy-saving construction project
“$5,000,000 to fund community solar and/or other local renewable energy generation; alternative fuel transportation projects; energy audits; planning, design, and construction of energy conservation and emission reduction projects. It is sponsored by the town of Jackson.”
The applicant, Energy Conservation Works (ECW), is a state-approved joint authority board. Teton County, Town of Jackson, and Lower Valley Energy are members of ECW.
Joint Authority Agreement. ECW initially requested $10 million.
According to the SPET application, ECW is
The funds will provide the necessary local matches for local, state, and federal funds. In order to acquire external funds, we need about 20% of local matches. SPET funds are primarily used to make these matches.
At this stage, potential projects are relatively vague and include community solar projects and more electric vehicle charging stations. The application states that “all projects and costs are publicly approved.”
Regarding the timeframe, ECW plans to evaluate the project in phases once it begins receiving SPET funding. According to ECW, the same approach was used with his SPET funding in 2010, which allowed him to fund projects when the opportunity arose.
Learn more about housing-related and education-related SPET items and how SPET is funded and distributed.
