Letter to the Editor: Keep local services funded, vote no on Prop 1

Dear Editor: 

I recently received my property tax bill. With the upcoming election and the proposed Prop 1 to cut property taxes by 50% in mind, I took a close look at where my property taxes are allocated. The biggest portion of my property taxes is going to Greybull schools. I also noticed amounts going to Big Horn County, BHC Weed and Pest, South Big Horn County Hospital (Three Rivers Health), the Senior Center, and the Conservation District.

We all want to pay fewer taxes, but generally, when we receive tax cuts, we are not as immediately impacted as we were by the most recent property tax cuts. With the recent cuts, I first noticed the decrease in library services. I also recently read in this very paper that Weed and Pest was unable to spray Russian Olive trees along a road, which is making that road more dangerous because of decreased visibility. I also read here that the Senior Center had to cut staff and services for our community’s senior citizens.

I have read repeatedly that property tax cuts are already reducing budgets and services in Big Horn County. If property taxes are reduced by a further 50%, it will be devastating to our schools, county services, safety, ambulance services, search and rescue, the hospital, weed and pest, and libraries.

Imagine having to cut funding to our schools for books, teacher salaries, maintenance, and programs. Imagine not having the funding to bus our students and athletes to programs and sporting events. The children will be impacted. My boys are products of Greybull schools. I wholeheartedly support my taxes going to the schools.

I am a nurse in the hospital/ER at Three Rivers Health. This letter is on my personal behalf as a 14-year resident of Big Horn County and not the official view of the hospital or its leadership. I see firsthand the benefit of new hospital/clinic programs, equipment, and personnel. I see our hardworking ambulance crews, deputy sheriffs, search and rescue members, and others who serve our area to keep us safe and healthy.

This proposition came out of Jackson and has no plan to replace the nearly $125 million in lost revenue in year one. This proposition will devastate us locally, and unfortunately, we will see the effects of these cuts immediately and personally.

When we vote this fall, let’s remember our community and everyone who lives in beautiful Big Horn County. We all want our communities to be safe, healthy, and well maintained. I am willing to pay my “fair share” to keep our local communities funded. Vote NO on Prop 1.

Rebecca Bercher

Shell