ROCK SPRINGS — The Rock Springs City Council has narrowed down its priority list for the one-cent Special Purpose Tax initiative to try and make sure the community’s needs are being met.

During an hour and a half special Council meeting this evening, the Council discussed how to narrow down their 19 plus potential projects for the one-cent Special Purpose Tax, which will be placed on the 2022 November ballot for voters to decide.

After extensive discussion, the Council decided to pick their top five projects to try and narrow the list down.

Currently, the priority list is as follows:

• First place tie: Water Reclamation Facility/Odor Control and Northeast Rock Springs Detention Basin
• Third: Killpecker Creek Detention Basin
• Fourth: Park and Recreation Projects and Gateway Improvement project
• Fifth: Wind River Tank and Transmission Water System
• Sixth: First Security Bank Phase 2

Once the priorities were given, the Council ended up with both a first-place tie and three projects tied for fifth. This led to more discussion to narrow down the project list to only one fifth project, where there was a third-place tie between the Wind River Tank and Transmission System, First Security Bank Phase 2, and Bitter Creek Restoration projects.

When looking at the total dollar amount, the Council decided to add the First Security Bank Phase 2 project to the list extending the list to six because that would put the project total around $39 million. The last time the Council looked at the special purpose tax projects list their total request was going to be around $40 million.

“If we don’t utilize this tool to improve our community, then the community will not improve,” Rock Springs Mayor Tim Kaumo said.

“We could easily double this list in needs,” Kaumo said.

The Council also discussed that it would prefer to have a time limit around five to six years, which would generate around $80 to $90 million.

Prior to creating a list, the Council wasn’t sure how much it should plan for since the length of time the tax would be in place nor a dollar amount had been determined. However, they decided it was important just to figure out what they felt was important knowing they can always adjust the list later.

The Council plans to put out more information on the projects so residents will know how completion of these projects will benefit the community.