Albany County SPET Proposal Seeks $43.8 Million For Facilities
On Jan. 6, 2026 the Laramie City Council moved to place a 1% Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) proposition on the May 5, 2026 Albany County special election ballot. If approved, the measure would allocate $43,769,250 to Albany County projects, funding a new county services building, courthouse remodeling and fairgrounds upgrades that would shape local services and community events.
At its Jan. 6 regular meeting the Laramie City Council recommended approval of Resolution No. 2026-05 to put a 1% SPET proposition before voters on the May 5 special election ballot. The proposed SPET is part of a broader $95 million package allocated across sponsoring entities, with Laramie receiving $45,555,750 (48%), Albany County $43,769,250 (46%), the Town of Rock River $1,675,000 (2%) and the Laramie Regional Airport $4,000,000 (4%).
Albany County’s $43,769,250 allocation breaks into two principal projects. The larger sum, $39,583,063, is targeted for design, permitting and construction of a new Albany County Services building, remodeling of the Albany County Courthouse, and associated landscaping, site improvements, signage, project management services and purchase of operational equipment, fixtures and furnishings. The remaining $4,186,187 is earmarked for removal and replacement of the Albany County Fairgrounds grandstands, concession stands, ticket booth, crow’s nest and restrooms, and for upgrades to arena and rodeo facilities plus operational equipment and fixtures.
The resolution also identifies specific uses for the city and airport portions of the SPET. The Laramie Regional Airport’s $4 million would serve as a local match for FAA or state-eligible projects including pavement sealing and marking, apron reconstruction, taxiway rehabilitation, construction of a snow removal equipment building or deicing pad, and perimeter upgrades. The City of Laramie’s $45,555,750 package includes funding for a new police headquarters, animal shelter renovations, a new Fire Department Station 1, surface water drainage projects, ADA sidewalk improvements, recreation center upgrades, construction of the western portion of Bill Nye Avenue, major street reconstruction projects and paving of Harrison Street.
The resolution cites Wyoming Statute § 39-15-201 through § 39-15-211 as legal authority for the SPET and includes a pledge of a $10,000,000 general fund reserve in its fiscal planning. For Albany County residents, the ballot decision would determine whether a one percent excise tax is levied to finance these capital projects. Approval would unlock local funding for long-discussed infrastructure needs that affect daily life, from courthouse access and public safety facilities to fairground amenities that support agricultural events and community gatherings.
Voters will see the proposition on the May 5 special election ballot; a decision in favor would trigger project design and procurement phases, while rejection would require local governments to seek alternative funding or scale back planned work. The measure ties local investment in civic infrastructure to a broader regional package, reflecting coordinated planning among Laramie, Albany County, Rock River and the airport.
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