May 15, 2025 Meeting Summary

Presiding: Kelly Neville

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren

Professor’s Quote: Jenny Eisenhauer

Introduction of Guests: Keith Rittle

Rotaract/Interact Students:

Humor: Todd Pearson

Foundation Drawing: Ollie Walter won $10 with $667.50 in the jackpot.

O’Dwyers Drawing: Pam Dunnuck

 

 

Rotarian of the Week: Christina Kuzmych nominated John Evans for providing a donation to end WPR’s fund drive; Murray Schroeder nominated Randi Downham for her new position at ANB Bank; Kelly Neville nominated Ron Van Ekeren for his birthday check to the club foundation.  

 

Songs: Happy Birthday; Springtime in the Rockies

 

Program: Legislation Effects on Albany County, Albany County Clerk, Assessor & Treasurer

 

Introduction: Kerry Greaser

 

County Clerk, Kayla White, County Assessor, Chelsie Mathews, and County Treasurer, Tracy Fletcher visited the club to share a shortened version of the town halls they have been doing across the county.

 

White discussed a few of the pieces of legislation related to voting in Wyoming. A bill passed that requires proof of residency for voter registration. You will need to be a Wyoming resident for at least 30 days and provide proof of citizenship and residency to vote. A Wyoming Driver’s License should work.

 

Mathews covered the changes to property tax. She focused on the Long-Term Homeowners and the Homeowners exemptions. The Long-Term Homeowners is for the next two years. The Homeowners Exemption does not have an end date. For 2025, it is 25% off the assessed value for single-residency buildings and associated land, which can include rentals. Next year it will only be owner-occupied residents. The 4% cap that was passed two years ago is also in effect. This is a good form of relief because it helps with years of inflation.

 

In 2025, the estimated taxes returned to the tax payer (not including the property tax refund program) is about $9.4 million. After calculating the assistance from the wind farms, a backfill for the Veteran’s exemption, and new construction, the 2025 estimated impact on taxing authorities is $2.2 million. The City of Laramie will be impacted the most.

 

Mathews noted the People’s Initiative will be on the ballot in 2026. This is a 50% exemption off the assessed value of a resident, but does not include associated land. Fifty-one percent of votes are required to pass the initiative.

 

If it passes, Mathews estimates there will be 7,200 applicants in Albany County that meet the parameters. This will save the average homeowner $885 on property tax, and will result in about a $7 million impact on revenue for tax authorities. The 25% exemption will go away if this passes.

 

Fletcher noted that the County is looking at a $603,146 potential cut to the budget. Albany County’s budget is 72% personnel. This has the potential to impact county services. Each department was asked to cut based on pro-rated numbers. The Sheriff’s Office, as the largest part of the budget, is 26% of the budget, so the department will need to cut about $154,000. This will be accomplished by reducing the budget for food at the detention center and not hiring for 2 empty positions.

 

Albany County’s budget is already lean. The County Commissioners will start work on the budget over the next month. They will then have more information on what impacts there will be to services.

 

The County is also interested in hearing if residents are interested in another round of Specific Purpose Excise Tax to support projects.

 

You can learn more at: albanycountywy.gov.

 

Response: Keith Rittle

 

 

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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org