News of West Park Hospital's $38 million capital facilities tax proposal came as a surprise to many residents last week. For the past several months, there have been rumblings of a possible 1-cent tax to pay for transforming the Cody landfill into a regional garbage hub. Just as local leaders were readying to release details of the landfill proposal, news of another possible capital facilities tax project — and a costlier one at that — transpired.Officials have acknowledged a $10-$20 million capital facilities tax proposal for the Park County landfill could be a tough sell. It's no doubt that a $38 million measure for the Cody hospital would be an even tougher one.The Park County landfill is a project that taxpayers must pay for somehow — either through further garbage rate hikes or an optional 1-cent tax. Local officials are still working out the details of a possible proposal, which could be released next month.While we understand the merits of improving West Park Hospital, its leaders must prove that a 1-cent capital facilities tax is the best way to pay for the expansion and renovation. In reality, there are many worthy projects and organizations in Park County that could benefit from the millions of dollars generated through an optional 1-cent sales tax.Successful measures in the past have been those that paid for countywide projects — such as 2002's tax for the Park County Jail and 2006's tax that went toward the Powell Aquatic Center, library in Cody and Meeteetse pool.As Cody City Councilman Steve Miller remarked last week, persuading Powell and other county voters outside West Park Hospital's district to support the tax will be “a phenomenal challenge.”Though the optional 1-cent tax is a vital economic tool for cities and counties, it is one that should be enacted sparingly and only for projects deemed worthy.Whether the landfill, hospital or any other unforeseen projects end up on the ballot this election is up to municipal and county leaders. Then it's up to you, Park County voters, to decide if the penny tax will be revived.

News of West Park Hospital's $38 million capital facilities tax proposal came as a surprise to many residents last week.

For the past several months, there have been rumblings of a possible 1-cent tax to pay for transforming the Cody landfill into a regional garbage hub. Just as local leaders were readying to release details of the landfill proposal, news of another possible capital facilities tax project — and a costlier one at that — transpired.

Officials have acknowledged a $10-$20 million capital facilities tax proposal for the Park County landfill could be a tough sell. It's no doubt that a $38 million measure for the Cody hospital would be an even tougher one.

The Park County landfill is a project that taxpayers must pay for somehow — either through further garbage rate hikes or an optional 1-cent tax. Local officials are still working out the details of a possible proposal, which could be released next month.

While we understand the merits of improving West Park Hospital, its leaders must prove that a 1-cent capital facilities tax is the best way to pay for the expansion and renovation.

In reality, there are many worthy projects and organizations in Park County that could benefit from the millions of dollars generated through an optional 1-cent sales tax.

Successful measures in the past have been those that paid for countywide projects — such as 2002's tax for the Park County Jail and 2006's tax that went toward the Powell Aquatic Center, library in Cody and Meeteetse pool.

As Cody City Councilman Steve Miller remarked last week, persuading Powell and other county voters outside West Park Hospital's district to support the tax will be “a phenomenal challenge.”

Though the optional 1-cent tax is a vital economic tool for cities and counties, it is one that should be enacted sparingly and only for projects deemed worthy.

Whether the landfill, hospital or any other unforeseen projects end up on the ballot this election is up to municipal and county leaders.

Then it's up to you, Park County voters, to decide if the penny tax will be revived.