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Lincoln County chief flags tax changes, EMS district timing and new TerraPower revenue
Summary
Lincoln County Chief of Staff Stephen Allen briefed Thayne council on continuing 25% property tax reductions requiring municipal applications, risks to special-district funding from a proposed 50% flat cut, timing challenges for an EMS district and $5 million annual TerraPower revenue for six years.
Stephen Allen, Lincoln County chief of staff, delivered the county’s annual post‑legislative update to the Town of Thayne council on April 15, covering property tax changes, special‑district funding pressures, an EMS district timeline and recent changes in sales tax revenue.
Allen said the 25% property tax reduction will continue but municipalities must now apply for it rather than receiving it automatically. He warned special districts face funding challenges — for example, Mid Valley Fire District is fully milled out while South Lincoln operates at 0.89 mills — and cautioned that a proposed ballot measure to impose a 50% flat property tax reduction could severely reduce special‑district revenues.
On EMS district formation, Allen said county commissioners would consider a proposal on May 21; he noted substantial timing challenges if a board is to be appointed and a mill levy placed on the ballot by July 15, and he raised concerns about appointing a board without sufficient public input.
Allen also briefed the council on sales tax changes, saying the county lost coal sales tax but expects about $5 million annually from TerraPower for six years, reported completion of the Dry Creek industrial siding project and ongoing sewer capacity work. He described county efforts on septic waste management in partnership with Leisure Valley Recreation and Cokeville, and said a Salt River study will include DNA testing to help identify nitrate sources.
Allen addressed a clerical delay in travel and tourism grant application materials and promised to provide forms to Councilmember Heward, and he described county transparency efforts on meeting access while noting a professional estimate of $335,000 to outfit full audiovisual systems across three county meeting locations.
Mayor Simpson expressed opposition to creating an EMS district, saying the hospital should be responsible for EMS rather than shifting costs to residents.
