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CBNG Development Helps Johnson County Fund New Schools A recent tax revenue analysis recognized three new Johnson County schools were funded due to increased mineral development in Wyoming and rapid growth of CBNG development in Johnson County. The Wyoming School Facility Commission authorized $49.9 million in state money for the three news schools, said analyst Ken Kerns. Kerns is a governmental affairs consultant and a former County Commissioner. “The general public has no idea how much education benefits from increased mineral development,” he said. Currently, Wyoming school construction is funded by a portion of Federal Mineral Royalty funds as well as severance taxes. These taxes are distributed to the Wyoming School Facility Commission, as directed by the Legislature. State Mineral Royalty funds are distributed to the School Lands Trust Fund. Kerns said, monies in both funds allow for statewide school and education improvement. Additionally, schools benefit from increased property tax revenues. In the report, CBNG producers are the highest property tax payers, contributing 39 percent of all property taxes. “When the public reads property tax revenues have increased, the majority interpret that the increase is mostly distributed to county services. In fact, 76 percent of the property tax revenue goes to the education community,” Kerns said. Property taxes from CBNG developers, along with other property tax payers, also made it possible to fund a general obligation school bond, because these bonds are retired entirely from property tax money. “Without the robust mineral industry in the state, including the local CBNG industry, the burden to fund this school constructionwould have fallen on the local property owners, a task not possible, due to the local general obligation bond limit,” Kerns said. If individual school districts choose to enhance the school’s construction, the districts may, by voter approval, authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds, he said. Both Kaycee High school and Buffalo High School chose to enhance the original construction plans. The report shows, that an $8.2 million bond was issued in Johnson County. As mentioned before, bonded debt will be paid off by the property tax payers, which also includes, CBNG producers. Parents Tom and Roz Harriet realize that increased CBNG development has allowed their community to flourish. They see it largely in their school systems. “Buffalo children deserve the finest education and with the help of CBNG monies, Buffalo is receiving new school buildings, equipment and technology,” the Harriet’s said. The new school in Kaycee, at a cost of $10.6 million, was assisted by a local bond issue of $1 million. The new high school in Buffalo is expected to be opened in the fall of 2006. This school cost $21.5 million. A local bond issue of $7.2 million supported this effort. A new middle school is also under construction in Buffalo, at a cost of $10. 8 million. The construction was entirely funded by the State. Kerns said another benefit from CBNG development is the Hathaway Scholarship Trust Fund, which is now available for graduating seniors across the state. This year, 92 graduating Johnson County seniors have the chance to apply for this scholarship and attend college in Wyoming next year. Students can either attend the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming Community College. This opportunity is primarily funded by Severance tax and Royalty tax revenues generated from the state mineral industry, including Johnson County CBNG development.
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