Sweetwater County commissioners certify quarter-mill levy question for conservation district ballot

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on July 15 to certify a ballot question asking voters whether to approve a one-quarter mill levy for the Sweetwater County Conservation District on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.

Tom Burris of the Sweetwater County Conservation District told commissioners the district submitted its petition last Thursday and supports placing the quarter-mill, four-year levy before voters to stabilize funding for natural-resource and soil-and-water conservation work. "We've reviewed all the documents we got from the county attorney, over the weekend ... and [are] in support of the mill levy," Burris said.

The chair said the county received the district's petition and that state statute requires written notice to the county clerk at least 110 days before the election, making the special meeting necessary to meet that deadline. The ballot language included in the resolution states: "Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Sweetwater County impose a conservation district mill levy of up to one-quarter mill on all property within Sweetwater County Conservation District to support natural resource and soil and water conservation programs pursuant to the Wyoming conservation district law statute 11-16-101 through 1-135?"

Burris said a previous effort to establish a full mill about 15–16 years ago failed, and the district is now asking for a quarter mill, which he said should be sufficient to expand services countywide. Asked about revenue, Burris estimated the quarter mill would generate roughly $500,000 countywide but said he did not have exact figures at the meeting and offered a ballpark example of about $4 on a $250,000 house.

Commissioners praised the district's restraint in seeking a quarter mill rather than a full mill and urged the district to explain its work to voters. One commissioner said, "There are a lot of different districts and services throughout the county that have the ability to go out and get their own direct funding ... and you're choosing to do that to go to the taxpayers and ask them to fund something that I think is important." Another commissioner asked about outreach and advertising; Burris said the district received 12 bids for outreach work and expects to select a contractor within a week to 10 days.

John, the county's chief deputy county attorney, explained signature and submission logistics: the board would sign the certified resolution, submit it to Clerk Swenson, and the clerk would provide public notice and distribution to the district. The chair reiterated that certification only places the question before voters: "Ultimately, this is up to the voters, and we certify the question before us today."

Commissioner Richards moved to approve Resolution 2026-07-CC-05 certifying the ballot question; Commissioner Slaughter seconded. The motion passed unanimously with all three commissioners saying "Aye." The board directed staff to sign and submit the document to the county clerk for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.

With no further business, the chair adjourned the special meeting.