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What is the Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax?
Yes For SPEC is about investing in Casper’s future through a temporary 1% tax designed to fund key community projects. Lasting no more than two years, SPEC is a brief commitment that directly impacts our community’s future. This tax is focused on targeted improvements that will enhance our quality of life, ensuring that every cent is used where it’s needed most.
Temporary Tax
This tax will end after two years or when $35 million is raised, whichever comes first.
Community Focused
Funds exclusively for approved community projects.
Transparency
All spending will be fully documented and reported.
Why Support SPEC?
Supporting SPEC is about more than just a small contribution—it’s about investing in a better Casper for everyone. By saying Yes to SPEC, you’re helping to create a safer, more vibrant community with enhanced public safety, thriving local businesses, and recreational spaces that bring us all together. This is our chance to make a lasting impact on the place we call home.
- Youth - Creating Future Opportunities
- Recreation - Enhancing Our Quality of Life
- Safety - Ensuring Peace of Mind
- Economic Development - Driving Casper’s Growth
Enhancing Casper's Livability
Voting Yes for SPEC directly benefits key aspects of our livability in Casper and supports the investment in our community’s future with just two years of funding.
The funds raised through SPEC will be directed towards voter-approved projects that enhance our community’s quality of life, from modernizing public safety facilities to expanding recreational opportunities.
On voting day, you’ll see eight propositions under the Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax. You can vote to support each of these essential projects. Fuel, groceries, prescriptions, and other tax exemptions are not taxed.
This temporary tax will not exceed 1%.
The Propositions
Each proposition represents a targeted initiative designed to meet the current and future needs of our residents, ensuring that Casper remains a vibrant and thriving place to live.
Metro Animal Shelter
The current animal shelter is outdated and overcrowded, putting both animals and staff at risk. This project will fund a new, larger shelter that provides better health and safety conditions for all. ($7.3M)
Expected Funding Time: 152 days (5 months)
Casper Ice Arena
With the growing popularity of ice sports, our current facilities are over capacity. Funding will support the addition of a second sheet of ice, expanding recreational opportunities and supporting economic growth through sports tourism. ($5M)
Expected Funding Time: 104 days (4 months)
Hogadon Ski Lift
The existing ski lift at Hogadon Basin is outdated and unreliable. This proposition will replace it with a modern, safer lift that can accommodate more users, including those with disabilities. ($4.2M)
Expected Funding Time: 87 days (3 months)
Fastpitch Softball Fields
Casper currently lacks regulation fastpitch softball fields. This project will construct new fields designed to meet the growing demand for youth sports, particularly for girls aged 8-18. ($4M)
Expected Funding Time: 83 days (3 months)
Fire Station #1
Fire Station #1 is outdated and too small to meet current needs. Funding will cover the land purchase, design, and engineering for a new station that meets modern safety standards. ($4.4M)
Expected Funding Time: 91 days (3 months)
911 Dispatch Center
Our 911 Dispatch Center is the critical hub for emergency services, but its equipment is outdated and unsupported. This project will replace the equipment, ensuring rapid and reliable emergency response. ($5M)
Expected Funding Time: 104 days (4 months)
Auxiliary Gym
The Casper Recreation Center is over capacity. This proposition will fund a new gym, providing more space for recreational activities, sports leagues, and community events. ($3.6M)
Expected Funding Time: 75 days (3 months)
Washington Park Bandshell
The historic bandshell in Washington Park needs repairs and upgrades. Funding will preserve this community landmark, ensuring it remains a vibrant venue for events and gatherings. ($1.5M)
Expected Funding Time: 31 days (1 month)
Metro Animal Shelter
The current animal shelter is outdated and overcrowded, putting both animals and staff at risk. This project will fund a new, larger shelter that provides better health and safety conditions for all. ($7.3M)
Expected Funding Time: 152 days (5 months)
Casper Ice Arena
With the growing popularity of ice sports, our current facilities are over capacity. Funding will support the addition of a second sheet of ice, expanding recreational opportunities and supporting economic growth through sports tourism. ($5M)
Expected Funding Time: 104 days (4 months)
Hogadon Ski Lift
The existing ski lift at Hogadon Basin is outdated and unreliable. This proposition will replace it with a modern, safer lift that can accommodate more users, including those with disabilities. ($4.2M)
Expected Funding Time: 87 days (3 months)
Fastpitch Softball Fields
Casper currently lacks regulation fastpitch softball fields. This project will construct new fields designed to meet the growing demand for youth sports, particularly for girls aged 8-18. ($4M)
Expected Funding Time: 83 days (3 months)
Fire Station #1
Fire Station #1 is outdated and too small to meet current needs. Funding will cover the land purchase, design, and engineering for a new station that meets modern safety standards. ($4.4M)
Expected Funding Time: 91 days (3 months)
911 Dispatch Center
Our 911 Dispatch Center is the critical hub for emergency services, but its equipment is outdated and unsupported. This project will replace the equipment, ensuring rapid and reliable emergency response. ($5M)
Expected Funding Time: 104 days (4 months)
Auxiliary Gym
The Casper Recreation Center is over capacity. This proposition will fund a new gym, providing more space for recreational activities, sports leagues, and community events. ($3.6M)
Expected Funding Time: 75 days (3 months)
Washington Park Bandshell
The historic bandshell in Washington Park needs repairs and upgrades. Funding will preserve this community landmark, ensuring it remains a vibrant venue for events and gatherings. ($1.5M)
Expected Funding Time: 31 days (1 month)
FAQ's
The Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax is a temporary tax that, if passed, will be collected on sales purchases in Casper (excluding tax exemptions such as fuel, prescriptions, and groceries) for up to two years or until the elected propositions have been fully funded, whichever comes first. The tax is in place until the project is fully funded, then it is entirely removed and no longer collected. Learn more about the Specific Purpose Tax here.
The 5th Cent tax, often called the “One Cent” tax, has been collected in Casper since 1976. Authorized by Wyoming law, Natrona County collects this tax at a 1% rate. The countywide “One Cent” tax funds critical infrastructure projects like street repairs, public safety, water and sewer infrastructure, and public buildings; whereas the Spec funds only the projects specified on the ballot until the needed funding is or set time frame is met, and then the tax is removed.
Each project was selected for funding due to the essential services they offer or the enhanced livability in Casper they provide. In order to have a community that thrives and benefits from a greater quality of life, we must improve our shared assets and amenities that further residents’ opportunities to enjoy life in Casper.
Ultimately, the impact of the Spec depends on each resident’s unique spending habits. If your annual taxable spending is $10,000 your contribution would be as little as $8.33 a month for two years to help fund essential projects that improve livability in Casper, Wyoming.
Even if you don’t use one, two, or three of the projects set to be funded by the Spec, the individuals, families, and senior citizens around you that call Casper ‘home’ benefit from the completion of these projects. If you care about the collective quality of life for our community, you should support these projects.
Several of the projects set to be funded by the Spec improve emergency services like fire and 911 dispatch improving your safety and peace of mind. The Spec also expands recreation opportunities like community recreation centers and shared parks, providing residents like you with more opportunities for outdoor activities, fitness, and family-friendly spaces. The projects will increase the economic development of our community and Casper's overall livability.
The eight projects proposed for funding with the Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax will be the last items on your ballot. After a brief overview of the Spec, you will see each proposition with its own description and required funding. Then, you will individually cast a vote either “For” or “Against” each of the propositions. This is an example of the ballot you would see.
Where you vote depends on where you live. You can determine your District, Precinct and Voting Location by visiting:
Yes For Spec is supported by a political action committee dedicated to improving the livability of Casper, Wyoming by advocating for the Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax. By providing accurate information and highlighting the tax’s community benefits, Yes For Spec is helping to build a thriving community where residents can prosper. For questions or more information, please email [email protected].
Paid for by the Natrona County One Cent Committee