Straight answers about your penny.
What is the One Cent Optional Tax?
It's a 1% tax, one penny on every dollar, on taxable purchases in any Natrona County community: Casper, Mills, Evansville, Bar Nunn, Midwest and Edgerton. Food is excluded. Today's total sales tax is 5¢, and it stays 5¢ when One Cent #18 passes on November 3.
Will it raise my taxes?
No. For 51 years one penny of the sales tax has supported health, safety and welfare in every community in the county. Renewing it keeps the rate exactly where it is.
Do visitors pay it too?
Yes. More than a quarter of all sales tax collected in Natrona County comes from visitors. Residents don't carry the full penny but get the benefit of every dollar collected.
How is it different from the state sales tax?
Wyoming law sets a 4% statewide tax that goes mainly to the state, with about 30% split among counties, cities and towns. The One Cent stays in Natrona County, and each community's share is based on population.
When did it start?
Natrona County voters first passed it in 1974 and have renewed it every four years since. In that time it has provided more than $250 million for projects across the county.
What has it paid for?
New fire stations, water main improvements, emergency response equipment and fleet vehicles, along with much more. See the Impact & Projects page for examples.
Who decides how the money is spent?
The elected officials of each local government. The money goes to operations and capital projects they choose for their own community.