Support the SPET

The Water Quality SPET was the #1 supported SPET measure on the November 2022 ballot!

It received more votes than any other ballot measure.
Your vote is your voice and it was loud and clear –
Teton County residents want clean water. 

In partnership with Teton County and the Water Quality Master Plan project team, we are ready to put these funds to work.

THANK YOU for voting Yes.

Support the Water Quality Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) Measure

#15. Teton County Water Quality Projects
$10,000,000 to fund water quality projects that will protect and improve surface and groundwater resources in Teton County, such as the Wilson sewer project, the Town of Jackson stormwater pollution prevention project, and projects to be identified in the Teton County Water Quality Master Plan (WQMP).
This project is sponsored by Teton County.

Vote FOR the Proposition #15 on the November 2022 ballot.

Why should I vote FOR the Proposition?

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) contain significant funding dedicated to water and wastewater treatment infrastructure that are once-in-a-generation funding opportunities now available for clean water. However, these funding opportunities will require the Town and the County to provide matching funds.

If this does not happen, we could lose out on significant available funding for clean water.

Previously, there was a minimum of $100 million per year for the next five years in funding available at the Wyoming state level through State Revolving Funds (SRF) for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

On May 13, 2022, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an additional $1.9 billion in grant funding to SRF to accelerate progress and upgrades on water infrastructure projects.

We have an opportunity to make a significant impact on water quality now, and for future generations with these funding opportunities. We can leverage these SPET funds to implement the WQMP. The required matching funds from the Town and County must be in place in order to receive the state and federal funds allocated to water and wastewater initiatives from the ARPA and IIJA. We cannot lose out on these once-in-a-lifetime funding opportunities to improve our aging water infrastructure.

Let’s ensure clean water is a right for every citizen of Teton County — now, and for the future.

Learn more about specific projects in our Buckrail article by POWJH Executive Director Meghan Quinn.

Teton County is currently facing water quality issues around Hoback Junction and impairments on Fish and Flat Creeks. Our community has an opportunity to prioritize clean water through the upcoming Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET). There are once-in-a-generation funding opportunities now available for clean water. The American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act contain significant funding dedicated to water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Two critical initiatives are moving forward toward clean water in our community now.

  • Teton County has launched the Water Quality Master Plan
  • The Town of Jackson has also taken direct steps to address water quality recently, including a study to evaluate the capacity and expansion of the current sewer and municipal wastewater treatment facility, a stormwater study, and a commitment as a community to prioritize water quality. 

Despite these critical steps, the real work is yet to come. Now is the time for the public to stay engaged, involved, and educated to ensure the County Commissioners and Town Councilors prioritize water quality in future funding decisions, specifically through the upcoming SPET ballot. 

  • While there are once-in-a-generation funding opportunities, the competition for these Federal funds will be stiff.
  • Water and wastewater infrastructure projects are expensive.
  • To obtain the funding for these priority projects, the Town and the County will need to provide matching funds.
  • Therefore, it is critical that the Town and the County place a Water and Wastewater Implementation measure on the SPET ballot.

Now is not the time to rest but to engage and help the County Commissioners and Town Councilors to determine priorities at this unique confluence of this Water Quality Master Planning effort and once-in-a-lifetime funding opportunities addressing water and wastewater quality. This SPET measure will allow us to leverage the much-needed funding available now through American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act.

 

Let’s ensure clean water is a right for every citizen of Teton County — now, and for the future.