Powell leaders hope 1-cent tax pays for transfer station Six months before the primary election, residents already may be growing weary of talks surrounding another optional 1-cent sales tax.Two proposals are on the table — a $31 million expansion project for West Park Hospital and a $10 million-$15 million tax to pay for changes to the Park County landfill system.Neither 1-cent tax proposal is guaranteed a spot on the 2010 ballot — and it's safe to say neither is a shoo-in.If Park County voters consider a capital facilities tax on the ballot in 2010, we hope it's one to pay for the landfill project.Unlike the West Park proposed expansion, the landfill project concerns taxpayers countywide.And it's inevitable that residents countywide will have to pay for landfill costs one way or another — either through further increased garbage rates or the optional 1-cent tax.Last week, members of the Powell City Council and Mayor Scott Mangold reiterated their support for a possible 1-cent tax to pay for the landfill, mostly because it is likely the only way to fund a transfer station they believe is necessary for Powell. Without a transfer station, it's estimated that Powell garbage trucks will trek to Cody's landfill 16 times a week. With a transfer station, that number would be reduced to three weekly trips.Park County officials have hesitated to commit to building transfer stations for Powell or other communities, as their research shows direct hauling to a regional Cody landfill as the most economical option.Whether Powell will receive funding to build a transfer station remains uncertain.What is certain, however, is that Park County residents must find a way to pay for increased landfill costs.Powell leaders still see the capital facilities tax as a viable option to cover those costs, but if officials pursue a 1-cent tax for the landfill, they must announce those plans soon. There has been endless talk about Park County landfills over the past few years, and now it is time for action. With landfill closures on the horizon and election season fast approaching, time is of the essence.

Powell leaders hope 1-cent tax pays for transfer station

Six months before the primary election, residents already may be growing weary of talks surrounding another optional 1-cent sales tax.

Two proposals are on the table — a $31 million expansion project for West Park Hospital and a $10 million-$15 million tax to pay for changes to the Park County landfill system.

Neither 1-cent tax proposal is guaranteed a spot on the 2010 ballot — and it's safe to say neither is a shoo-in.

If Park County voters consider a capital facilities tax on the ballot in 2010, we hope it's one to pay for the landfill project.

Unlike the West Park proposed expansion, the landfill project concerns taxpayers countywide.

And it's inevitable that residents countywide will have to pay for landfill costs one way or another — either through further increased garbage rates or the optional 1-cent tax.

Last week, members of the Powell City Council and Mayor Scott Mangold reiterated their support for a possible 1-cent tax to pay for the landfill, mostly because it is likely the only way to fund a transfer station they believe is necessary for Powell.

Without a transfer station, it's estimated that Powell garbage trucks will trek to Cody's landfill 16 times a week. With a transfer station, that number would be reduced to three weekly trips.

Park County officials have hesitated to commit to building transfer stations for Powell or other communities, as their research shows direct hauling to a regional Cody landfill as the most economical option.

Whether Powell will receive funding to build a transfer station remains uncertain.

What is certain, however, is that Park County residents must find a way to pay for increased landfill costs.

Powell leaders still see the capital facilities tax as a viable option to cover those costs, but if officials pursue a 1-cent tax for the landfill, they must announce those plans soon. There has been endless talk about Park County landfills over the past few years, and now it is time for action. With landfill closures on the horizon and election season fast approaching, time is of the essence.