Former City Councilmember Calls HB127 “uncalled for” 

A proposed piece of Wyoming legislation could change how cities and counties fund parks, trails, and other recreation facilities by requiring voter approval before recreation-specific property taxes are created or renewed. House Bill 127 focuses on public taxation for recreation purposes and would mandate local elections prior to the adoption or continuation of mill levies used solely for recreation projects.

Former Sheridan City Councilmember Jacob Martin now sits on the Recreation Board. He spoke against the bill during an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse alongside Recreation District Executive Director Alex Mock and Youth Recreation Supervisor JD Williams. 

J. Martin

The bill would establish set election dates for recreation mill levy questions, require existing recreation levies to expire unless reapproved by voters, and apply statewide to all Wyoming municipalities and counties. Supporters say the measure is intended to strengthen local control and transparency by giving residents direct authority over whether they want to fund recreational amenities through property taxes, while also providing predictable timelines for when such questions appear on the ballot. 

According to Martin, should the bill become law and voters not approve the mil levy for even one cycle, the Rec District would likely be forced to reduce staff and programming and in a worst case scenario, dissolve entirely. The proposal could have long-term implications for how local governments plan, maintain, and expand recreation infrastructure if approved by the Legislature and ultimately signed into law.

J. Martin

Follow House Bill 127 and read the bill in full by clicking here.