Albany County commissioners approve project list for 2026 special-purpose excise tax after debate over fairgrounds, courthouse and public-safety priorities

Albany County commissioners voted Sept. 11 to adopt a county project list for a proposed 2026 specific-purpose excise tax, approving Resolution 2025-014 after an extended discussion over priorities for fairgrounds repairs, courthouse work, airport projects and public-safety equipment.

The action designates the list of projects the county will present in joint negotiations with the City of Laramie and Rock River for placement on a ballot measure. County staff presented a roster of capital needs totaling roughly $55.6 million as compiled in an updated packet; commissioners debated whether to present the list as prioritized projects or as a menu of specific project amounts.

Supporters of investing in the fairgrounds argued that visible upgrades would help persuade voters. Taylor, a county fairgrounds representative, described long-standing structural and utility problems at the fairgrounds' grandstands and barns, saying, "Today's equipment does not fit in those buildings," and detailed a series of building failures, leaking roofs and dirt floors that complicate animal health and biosecurity responses. Caitlin, a board member of the Fairgrounds Foundation, told commissioners the foundation has already spent about $250,000 this year on improvements and said the nonprofit would help fund a public campaign to support the tax if the fairgrounds projects remain on the list.

County staff (Tracy) walked commissioners through the updated project list and individual price tags, which included a $7.5 million courthouse remodel, $3.5 million listed for a new county building/IT services placeholder, $3,593,384 for debt service, $2,986,775 for grandstand repairs, $5,349,684 for a sheep and swine barn replacement, and line items for library improvements, fairgrounds building repairs ($1,012,315) and several public-safety items. Sheriff's Office requests included $700,000 for body-camera equipment and associated storage and $350,000 for patrol vehicles; the sheriff's representative urged that body cameras and storage be ranked with higher priority because the current contract expires in July 2026.

Commissioners debated how to present the airport's request. County and airport speakers described using Airport Improvement Program (AIP) entitlement funds (noted in the packet as roughly $1.3 million annually under certain conditions) alongside local, state and FAA matching funds to meet an airport project ask described as roughly $2.5 million (the airport listed a larger combined ask in joint materials). Some commissioners proposed removing the airport ask from the county's package and treating it separately because of the airport's unique funding and matching requirements.

The board discussed process and timing. Commissioners noted a likely May election timeline for a local question and that, if voters approve the tax, collections would begin no earlier than the following July 1. Commissioners also discussed that allocations among the three entities require agreement by two of the three jurisdictions at the joint meeting; staff warned that if the county's dollar allocation from that intergovernmental negotiation is reduced, projects may need to be cut or reconfigured.

Before the SPED-tax vote, the board acted on two procurement items: it voted to deny two bids received for the purchase and delivery of two full-size four-door, four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles after the bids exceeded budget expectations, and directed staff to reissue an RFP to seek two midsize four-door utility vehicles or pickups with trade-in allowances. Those procurement steps were procedural and taken without extended debate.

In the final action on the tax list, a motion to approve Resolution 2025-014 designating Albany County's project list for the 2026 specific-purpose excise tax passed by voice vote; the chair announced "Aye" and "Motion carries." Following that vote the board recessed briefly, returned and then adjourned the special meeting.

Votes at a glance - Deny bids for two full-size SUVs (purchase & delivery): motion carried (voice vote; tally not individually named). Notes: staff will reissue an RFP for two midsize utility vehicles/pickups with trade-in allowances. - Approve Resolution 2025-014 (Albany County project list for 2026 specific-purpose excise tax): motion carried (voice vote). Resolution designates the county's project list and dollar amounts for joint negotiation and placement on the proposed 2026 ballot question.

The board directed staff to finalize the project list documents for an upcoming joint meeting with the City of Laramie and Rock River; commissioners said they expected further negotiation at that meeting over how the combined jurisdiction list and dollar allotment will be split and whether some projects should be removed or reallocated ahead of a potential May ballot measure.