As Wyoming citizens struggle under the highest rate of inflation in 40
years, this is no time to add new or increased taxes.
Property Tax
Wyoming Constitution Section 11: Uniformity of Assessment Required
(a) All property, except as in this constitution otherwise provided, shall be
uniformly valued at its full value as defined by the legislature, in three (3)
classes as follows:
(i) Gross production of minerals and mine products in lieu of taxes on the
land where produced;
(ii) Property used for industrial purposes as defined by the legislature; and
(iii) All other property, real and personal.
(b) The legislature shall prescribe the percentage of value which shall be
assessed within each designated class. All taxable property shall be valued at
its full value as defined by the legislature except agricultural and grazing
lands which shall be valued according to the capability of the land to
produce agricultural products under normal conditions. The percentage of
value prescribed for industrial property shall not be more than forty percent
(40%) higher nor more than four (4) percentage points more than the
percentage prescribed for property other than minerals.
(c) The legislature shall not create new classes or subclasses or authorize
any property to be assessed at a rate other than the rates set for
authorized classes.
(d) All taxation shall be equal and uniform within each class of property.
Property Tax Part 2
Presently assessors in Wyoming use a convoluted and incomprehensible system to determine the value of properties in their respective county. It is unacceptable for a tax to be so complicated that the average tax payer cannot easily determine if his taxes are fair and proper. We must require that the system used by the Wyoming Department of Revenue is one that the taxpayers can comprehend and also calculate for themselves.
Property Values
Three factors have dramatically impacted property taxes in Natrona County and elsewhere in the state. First, the sudden switch from longstanding practices to strictly following the procedures set by the state department of Revenue. Second, an influx of new home buyers fleeing other states during and after Covid who were willing to pay unheard of prices for many Wyoming properties. Third, the persistent inflation that is destroying our economy. Any one of these would have had negative impacts. Together, they have resulted in crushing tax assessments on Wyoming home owners, most especially the elderly and those on fixed incomes. Our solutions may require a change to the state Constitution.