2021 Sixth Penny

 

What is the Sixth Penny Tax?

State law allows counties, in cooperation with cities and towns, to fund specific projects through a voluntary sales tax. Counties, cities, and towns pass resolutions that include proposed projects and amounts needed to complete those projects. Voters are then asked to vote on those projects. If approved by the majority of voters, a "sixth penny" sales tax is added to your purchases. When the specific amount is collected, the tax stops. 

Laramie County is comprised of: The City of Cheyenne and the towns of Albin, Burns, and Pine Bluffs. 

What Will The 2021 Ballot Look Like?

Sample Election Ballot

Public safety

Proposition #1:

$15,762,000 and interest earned thereon to the city of Cheyenne, for three fire stations; to relocate and replace Fire Station No. 3, 5 and construct a new station

Proposition #2:

$12,639,617.97 and interest earned thereon to Laramie County and town of Pine Bluffs as follows:

  • $1,082,000 to town of Pine Bluffs for Water System Expansion Project, water distribution/transmission expansion to north development property
  • $50,755.66 to Laramie County for the GIS Cooperative for an unmanned drone
  • $2,533,113.41 to Laramie County for Laramie County IT
  • $279,156.12 to Laramie County for Laramie County IT Fiber Optic Loop
  • $3,542,893.43 to Laramie County for Laramie County Sheriff’s Department various equipment and functions
  • $380,667.44 to Laramie County for Laramie Coroner’s facility HVAC systems
  • $4,060,452.69 to Laramie County for Emergency Management and Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department-Joint Powers Board Storage Building for communication and response vehicles and storage of equipment, supplies
  • $710,579.22 to Laramie County for Emergency Management Warning Sirens and Emergency Alert systems

Proposition #3:

$13,445,863.86 and interest earned thereon to Laramie County, the city of Cheyenne, town of Pine Bluffs, Burns and Albin as follows:

  • $4,262,000 to city of Cheyenne for Fire Truck Fleet Replacement Project to replace outdated and unreliable fire trucks
  • $906,968 to city of Cheyenne for Police Portable Radios Replacement Project to replace outdated and unsupported portable radios
  • $53,529 to city of Cheyenne for Police Electronic Evidence Storage Upgrade Project to update the electronic evidence storage capabilities of the Cheyenne Police Department
  • $50,000 to town of Burns for maintenance and repair of town owned ambulance, vehicles and machinery
  • $119,000 to town of Pine Bluffs for Police Department Public Safety Measures Case Management System and equipment
  • $1,329,556.66 to Laramie County Combined Communications Dispatch and 911 Software Upgrade
  • $1,500,000 to town of Pine Bluffs for Railroad Crossing Relocation Railroad crossing tie-in north of the newly constructed crossing and closure of unsafe crossing
  • $2,740,805.56 to Laramie County Fire District 2 for Happy Jack Road Fire Station
  • $1,522,669.76 to Laramie County Fire District 3 for Albin Fire Station
  • $200,000 to town of Albin for purchase of fire Hall and update
  • $761,334.88 to Laramie County Fire District 8 Apparatus Upgrade

Roads

Proposition #4:

$11,422,795.71 and interest earned thereon to Laramie County, as follows:

  • $1,860,494.09 to Laramie County for East Jefferson Road reconstruction
  • $3,045,339.52 to Laramie County for Division Avenue and Wallick Road, Street and Infrastructure Upgrade
  • $610,961.09 to Laramie County for Road 164 Reconstruction and Return to Gravel
  • $3,470,661.02 to Laramie County for Laramie County Road 142, milling intersection and overlay railroad at 143
  • $2,435,339.99 to Laramie County for East Allison Reconstruction

Proposition #5:

$14,000,000 and interest earned thereon to city of Cheyenne for city Road Maintenance Projects

Infrastructure

Proposition #6:

$13,584,264.61 and interest earned thereon to Laramie County, the city of Cheyenne, towns of Burns, Pine Bluffs and Albin as follows:

  • $507,556.59 to the Eastern Laramie County Solid Waste Disposal District for landfill equipment
  • $3,090,372 to the city of Cheyenne for the Cemetery Irrigation Project to replace the 50-year-old irrigation system
  • $400,000 to town of Burns for remodeling, repair, operation and maintenance of town owned buildings
  • $600,000 to town of Burns for upgrade, repair, construction and maintenance of town-owned streets and alleys
  • $170,000 to town of Burns for purchase, operation and maintenance of new dump truck
  • $175,000 to town of Burns for the purchase, operation and maintenance of new backhoe
  • $500,000 to town of Burns for town-owned paved street repair and maintenance
  • $800,000 to town of Burns for maintenance, construction and operation of town-owned water and sewer systems
  • $1,185,000 to town of Pine Bluffs for road resurfacing and rehabilitation and street resurfacing and rehabilitation
  • $1,260,000 to town of Pine Bluffs for wastewater lift station project construction and tie-in sewer lift station at the north development property
  • $823,361.40 to Laramie County and the city of Cheyenne for Cheyenne Regional Airport parking lot
  • $2,500,000 to city of Cheyenne for Municipal Building Plan Project to prepare a plan to determine space needs, engineering and design of a Cheyenne Municipal Building, including a fund for other needs at the current Municipal Building
  • $1,072,974.62 to Laramie County for the Laramie County Recreation Board for Clear Creek Park Infrastructure
  • $440,000 to town of Albin for update of equipment
  • $60,000 to town of Albin for Community Center Infrastructure, including heaters and glass replacement Update of Equipment 

Proposition #7:

$13,260,856.53 and interest earned thereon to Laramie County, the city of Cheyenne, towns of Burns, Pine Bluffs and Albin as follows:

  • $203,022.63 to Laramie County for Laramie County Library boiler replacement

  • $6,997,833.90 to Laramie County for sewer connection for Archer facility

  • $600,000 to town of Burns for maintenance, construction and operation of town-owned water and sewer systems

  • $35,000 to town of Burns for purchase, operation and maintenance of UTV

  • $50,000 to town of Burns for purchase, operation and maintenance of pickup truck for town maintenance department

  • $245,000 to town of Burns for maintenance, upgrade and construction of town-owned parks

  • $310,000 to town of Pine Bluffs for Water/Wastewater Telemetry Update and Repair Project for water and wastewater telemetry system updates and repairs to ensure quality municipal water

  • $620,000 to town of Pine Bluffs for Electrical Distribution Project and Electric infrastructure upgrades and expansion

  • $2,500,000 to city of Cheyenne for Cheyenne Greenway System Maintenance Project to maintain the Cheyenne Greenway System

  • $1,700,000 to town of Albin to complete mobile home/RV park

Community enhancements

Proposition #8:

$9,066,350.70 and interest earned thereon to Laramie County and the city of Cheyenne, as follows:

  • $203,022.63 to Laramie County for the Laramie County Recreation Board-Clear Creek Park Playground Equipment
  • $1,559,213.83 to Laramie County for Laramie County Events Department-Archer Events Center Improvements
  • $3,045,339.52 to Laramie County Community College for Manufacturing Program Build Out
  • $3,500,000 to city of Cheyenne for Cheyenne Greenway System Expansion Project to expand the Cheyenne Greenway System
  • $250,000 to the city of Cheyenne for Johnson Pool Project to prepare a plan to determine location, engineering and design for the renovation or replacement of Johnson pool
  • $508,774.72 to the Laramie County Library for a new bookmobile  

Proposition #9:

$10,151,131.22 to Laramie County and the interest earned thereon for construction of a new Laramie County Senior Activity Center

Proposition #10:

$6,017,966 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Downtown Improvements and Maintenance Project to improve and maintain infrastructure such as roads, parking, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lighting and alleys in the DDA District; to operate and maintain the Depot Plaza

Proposition #11:

$2,000,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Gymnasium and Gymnastics Facility Project to construct multi-use courts and gymnastics facilities for youth and adult programs on appropriate sites including next to the Cheyenne Ice and Events Center

Proposition #12:

$3,500,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Large Project Completion to provide funding to work with outside partners (e.g., LEADS, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) to complete community large projects, such as the downtown hole (formerly Mary’s Bake Shoppe), Reed Avenue Corridor, Belvoir Ranch and Hitching Post

Proposition #13:

$3,000,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon to Match Grant Opportunities Project to provide funding to match grant opportunities benefitting the city of Cheyenne

Proposition #14:

$2,250,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Cheyenne Regional Airport for a Minimum Revenue Guarantee

 

Past Sixth Penny Projects

Albin

  • Sewer line upgrades 
  • Replace waterlines
  • Equipment for Maintenance Department 
  • Emergency generators and water source 
  • Housing expansion 
  • Community Center repairs
  • Community Center addition
  • Sewer improvements
  • Heavy equipment purchase

Burns

  • Construction of gravel road, address parking, and watering issues 
  • Purchase of new radios and other communication equipment
  • Sewer line upgrades
  • Heavy equipment upgrades
  • Liberty Park improvements

Cheyenne

  • Christensen Road Overpass 
  • Land purchase for East Park
  • West Edge District infrastructure, enhancements to support Reed Avenue Rail Corridor redevelopment
  • Construction of Municipal Court Building
  • Street Improvements of greatest need
  • Expansion of Greater Cheyenne Greenway
  • Botanic Gardens Conservatory/Remodel
  • Public Safety Center
  • Norris Viaduct

Laramie County

  • Construction of Fire Station at Archer Complex 
  • Construction of Laramie County Archer Complex 
  • Updating Sheriff's Department video recording systems 
  • New scraper, additional equipment for Eastern Laramie County Solid Waste Disposal District
  • Purchase of computer-based equipment for first responders
  • Construction of Fire Station located at I-25 and Iron Mountain Road
  • Laramie County Detention Center addition
  • Expansion of Laramie County Courthouse
  • Laramie County Library
  • City/County Health Department
  • County Government Complex

Pine Bluffs

  • Phase 1 of Clean Water System Renovation
  • Replacement of town equipment
  • 4-year street maintenance and repair plan
  • Debt Reduction
  • Construction of Public Works Facility
  • Electric Infrastructure Repairs 
  • Park Rehabilitation
  • Water Main improvements
  • Butler Avenue paving

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the election?

The election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Vote centers are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

How can I vote?

You can vote on election day - November 2, 2021 - or you can vote early or by absentee ballot beginning September 17. Early voting is available in the Atrium of the Laramie County Building (309 W. 20th St.) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday until November 1. An I.D. will be required to vote. For more information on early and absentee voting, call the Laramie County Clerk's Election Office at 307-633-4242.

Why do I have to show an I.D. to vote?

Wyoming law now requires you to present an ID before voting in person on Election Day or during early voting. Bring your Wyoming driver’s license or Wyoming ID.  Other acceptable IDs: military ID, valid U.S. passport, Wyoming student ID, driver’s license from another state, Medicare or Medicaid card.  Questions? Call our Election office at (307) 633-4242 or visit WY SOS Voter ID. No ID? you can get a free WY ID for voting at WYDOT Driver Services, 1520 Etchepare Cir, (307) 777-3835

When will this tax start and end?

The tax will start on April 1, 2022 and end once all the approved projects have been funded to their approved amount.

If approved, what will the tax rate be?

Currently, Laramie County is collecting 6 cents on every dollar spent (except on non-prepared food). If approved, there would be a tax holiday from October to April when the tax collected would be set at 5 cents.

Will tourists pay this tax?

Yes. Anyone who purchases items in Laramie County (except non-prepared food) will pay this tax.

How does the ballot work?

Voters will be presented with similar projects grouped together in four different areas: public safety, roads, infrastructure, and community enhancements.

Where can I find additional information?

For more information, visit www.laramiecounty.com

 

 

From April 1-16, 2021, the City of Cheyenne held Sixth Penny Work Sessions for various departments and projects. Below you will find a link to each session's video (YouTube), a PDF presentation given by staff, and the corresponding propositions from each session that will appear on the 2021 ballot.   

Committee of the Whole -- One Percent Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax

Note: Committee of the Whole Meeting included projects discussed in other work sessions and also additional items that we're not discussed at work sessions but will be on the 2021 Sixth Penny Ballot. Those additional items can be found directly below:

Proposition #6: $823,361.40 to Laramie County and the city of Cheyenne for Cheyenne Regional Airport parking lot
Proposition #12: $3,500,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Large Project Completion to provide funding to work with outside partners (e.g., LEADS, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) to complete community large projects, such as the downtown hole (formerly Mary’s Bake Shoppe), Reed Avenue Corridor, Belvoir Ranch and Hitching Post
Proposition #13: $3,000,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon to Match Grant Opportunities Project to provide funding to match grant opportunities benefitting the city of Cheyenne
Proposition #14: $2,250,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Cheyenne Regional Airport for a Minimum Revenue Guarantee 
VIDEO
PRESENTATION (PDF)(PDF, 10MB)

Cheyenne Fire Rescue (CFR) Requests

PROPOSITION #1: $15,762,000 AND INTEREST EARNED THEREON TO THE CITY OF CHEYENNE FOR THREE FIRE STATIONS; TO RELOCATE AND REPLACE FIRE STATION NO. 3, 5 AND CONSTRUCT A NEW STATION
PROPOSITION #3: $4,262,000 TO CITY OF CHEYENNE FOR FIRE TRUCK FLEET REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO REPLACE OUTDATED AND UNRELIABLE FIRE TRUCKS 
 Work Session Video
Presentation (PDF)(PDF, 14MB)

Cheyenne Greenway Construction & Maintenance

PROPOSITION #7: $2,500,000 TO CITY OF CHEYENNE FOR CHEYENNE GREENWAY SYSTEM MAINTENANCE PROJECT TO MAINTAIN THE CHEYENNE GREENWAY SYSTEM
PROPOSITION #8:$3,500,000 TO CITY OF CHEYENNE FOR CHEYENNE GREENWAY SYSTEM EXPANSION PROJECT TO EXPAND THE CHEYENNE GREENWAY SYSTEM
 Work Session Video
 Presentation (PDF)(PDF, 58MB)

Cheyenne Police Department (CPD) Radios & Digital Storage

Proposition #3: $906,968 to city of Cheyenne for Police Portable Radios Replacement Project to replace outdated and unsupported portable radios
Proposition #3: $53,529 to city of Cheyenne for Police Electronic Evidence Storage Upgrade Project to update the electronic evidence storage capabilities of the Cheyenne Police Department 
 Work Session Video
 Presentation (PDF)(PDF, 1MB)

Cheyenne Road Maintenance

Proposition #5: $14,000,000 and interest earned thereon to city of Cheyenne for city Road Maintenance Projects 
Work Session Video
Presentation (PDF) (PDF, 6MB)

Community Recreation & Events Various Projects 

Proposition #6: $3,090,372 to the city of Cheyenne for the Cemetery Irrigation Project to replace the 50-year-old irrigation system
Proposition #8: $250,000 to the city of Cheyenne for Johnson Pool Project to prepare a plan to determine location, engineering and design for the renovation or replacement of Johnson pool
Proposition #11: $2,000,000 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Gymnasium and Gymnastics Facility Project to construct multi-use courts and gymnastics facilities for youth and adult programs on appropriate sites including next to the Cheyenne Ice and Events Center
Work Session Video
Presentation (PDF)(PDF, 6MB)

Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Proposition #10: $6,017,966 to city of Cheyenne and the interest earned thereon for Downtown Improvements and Maintenance Project to improve and maintain infrastructure such as roads, parking, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lighting and alleys in the DDA District; to operate and maintain the Depot Plaza
 
Presentation (PDF) (PDF, 1MB)

Municipal Building Renovation Project 

Proposition #6: $2,500,000 to city of Cheyenne for Municipal Building Plan Project to prepare a plan to determine space needs, engineering and design of a Cheyenne Municipal Building, including a fund for other needs at the current Municipal Building
 Work Session Video
Presentation (PDF)(PDF, 21MB)