Teton County Voters Approve Property Tax Increase to Support St. John's Health
Teton County voters have approved a property tax increase that is expected to double the annual property tax allotment for St. John's Health, the valley's largest year-round employer. This decision comes after Wyoming voters defeated a statewide 50% property tax cut on residences, allowing the hospital to retain its base rate of approximately $12 million in county property taxes. Subsequently, 73% of Teton County voters supported an additional property tax measure, which could bring the hospital's total annual property tax revenue to about $24 million. This funding is crucial for St. John's Health, which operated at a loss of nearly $12 million last year and had previously implemented measures like outsourcing staff payroll and closing facilities to avoid mass layoffs and service cuts. Governor Mark Gordon had previously voiced opposition to the statewide tax relief measure.
