Park County puts 1% special‑purpose excise tax package on Nov. 3 ballot to fund local projects

Park County commissioners voted to place a single 1% special‑purpose excise tax proposition on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot that, if approved by voters, would fund a package of city and town projects. Elections staff and municipal representatives presented project descriptions and estimated allocations: approximately $9.8 million for the Cody Auditorium remediation and upgrades, $7.9 million for Powell projects, and $1.578 million for Matisse projects (total package about $19.278 million). County elections staff explained the tax is a time‑limited, countywide 1% excise on taxable goods and services distributed according to the resolution; if projects are completed, the tax sunsets. Deputy clerk Hans Ode (speaker 17) and city representatives described project needs — Cody’s auditorium requires asbestos remediation, ADA and mechanical upgrades; Powell’s library and other municipal projects were summarized; Matisse outlined a new garbage truck, senior center kitchen upgrades and pool renovations.

Commissioners discussed whether the package could be split into separate ballot items (staff said the current proposal is a package; while splitting is possible under statute it was not how this proposal was assembled). The board moved and approved placing the single package proposition on the ballot.