GILLETTE - City officials might next year ask Campbell County voters to approve a special tax to help pay for a proposed $226 million water pipeline.

The 42-mile pipeline would supply Gillette with water from wells outlying the city.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal has said that if state revenue comes in higher than expected, he would recommend that the state contribute $100 million to the pipeline project.

Gillette Mayor Duane Evenson said this week that the city might ask voters to approve a capital facilities tax to cover another $75 million of the project's cost. The sales tax would range from 0.25 percent to 1 percent and would expire when the $75 million is raised.

"It's something we are contemplating doing," Evenson said. "But we have not yet decided. If we do decide to do this, it would be a way to show the Legislature that we have a way to secure the $75 million."

He said the vote could come as soon as May.

Evenson said he'd like to talk with Freudenthal about the project. He said if the governor seemed to support the project, the city would consider having a special election.

"If not, OK, but we want to let them know we are willing to do our part to pay our amount," he said.

Sen. John Schiffer, R-Kaycee, has said that the Legislature would need to look closely at the idea.

"I don't think we want to lead the folks in Campbell County, saying, 'yeah, we hope the revenue's there,"' Schiffer said. "I think we may have to look a little closer at making a promise that we can't keep."