Douglas County Commissioners propose two tax increases

Millions of dollars could be headed to the South Shore if the Douglas County Commissioners vote to increase gas tax by five cents and add an additional 0.25% infrastructure sales tax.

The Countywide Connectivity initiative looks at several projects both at the lake and in the valley that would address safety issues for walkers, cyclists and drivers while creating vibrate business districts that attract investment.

At the Douglas County Board of County Commissioner’s meeting held on October 3, the Commission approved the introduction of two ordinances related to the Countywide Connectivity initiative for further consideration by an additional 5-cent gasoline tax increase and an additional 0.25% infrastructure sales tax. The second reading for the two proposed ordinances is tentatively scheduled for Thursday December 3rd, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse in Minden, Nevada. At this meeting the Board will consider adoption of these two tax increases.

Prior to that, a public hearing will be held at the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority/Tahoe Transportation Center Board Meeting Room, 169 Highway 50 at Stateline, Nevada on November 19 at 1:30 p.m.

The money generated by the increased taxes will be leveraged for spending by available government grants.

There are two projects on the South Shore that would benefit from the tax increase: the South Shore Revitalization Plan and the Round Hill to Zephyr Cove Bike portion of the Stateline Bikeway. The valley connectivity projects that would receive funding are the Minden-Genoa trail, the Pony Express trail, regional transit needs as well as regional road maintenance. Sales tax revenues would go to the US395 - Main Street revitalization plan that would reroute large trucks, as well as the Martin Slough Trail and Ranchos Connectivity Path.

Four studies were not included to receive money from the proposed taxes. The V & T Railroad study, the Canary Car trolley study, the gondola study and the passenger ferry study.

The South Shore Revitalization plan that would improve the casino corridor and proposed loop road would cost $25 million.

The commissioners were told at their October 3 meeting that the average Douglas County household would pay an extra $4 in gas tax and $4.25 in sales tax per month. If voters approve an additional 0.5% increase in taxes, households would pay about an extra $8.50 per month. If voters don't approve that increase there would be an extra $3.66 charged per household in utility operator fees.