Registered voters in Campbell County are sent a paper survey every four years in order to gather public opinion about county infrastructure projects funded by our additional 1% sales tax. (“Penny Power.”) This year it is also online. It is due back September 18th.

The survey went out this year to thousands of residents, but statistically only about 15% of Campbell County voters respond to the survey at all. Many do not respond to every question, as it surveys about Gillette, Wright, and Campbell County’s priorities all at once.

The low response means out of 48,000+ residents in Campbell County, only about 6% are engaging with their government with regards to how they want their own money spent. (Nearly 90% of those that did return their surveys live in Gillette.)

This year’s survey asked voters to rank which items they think are the biggest priorities for Campbell County:

Capital Facilities Maintenance & Repair – pays for regular maintenance and upkeep on county-owned buildings (an “every day” expenses fund)

Capital Replacement Reserve – pays for the complete replacement of a county-owned asset (a “rainy day” expenses fund)

County Road Maintenance & Pavement Management

District Support Grants (Roads and Water)

Emergency & Safety Equipment

Public Safety (Fire and Sheriff’s Departments)

Senior Citizens’ Center

Social Service Agencies and Conservation District/Predatory Animal Management

Solid Waste Operations

Veterans Services

Youth Programs & Equipment

In past surveys, residents have ranked “Emergency & Safety Equipment,” “County Road Maintenance,” and “Veterans Services” amongst their highest priorities. But there is also overwhelming support for Economic Development and the Senior Citizens’ Center. Commissioners choosing these priorities are in fact reading the survey results and supporting voters’ wishes.

I support the Optional 1% Sales Tax, but more importantly, I support that it is up for renewal every four years. Putting the topic on the ballot (even though we rely on this funding and shouldn’t eliminate it) forces a conversation between the Campbell County Government and its residents.

However I feel the Penny Power survey is not reaching enough residents or gathering enough useful feedback for elected officials to refer to, especially when those survey results are at least three years out of date, as it is this year (the years when the tax are renewed.)

As long as we have the right to discuss this subject with our leaders at least every four years, our pennies will continue to work for us.

To find previous Penny Power Survey results, Click Here.