Candidates field questions

Mayor Ray Masayko and his challenger Marv Teixeira had a chance to briefly answer four anonymous questions from Noon Rotary Club members Tuesday.

They addressed redevelopment, stalled plans to build a new controversial casino, water issues and annexation.

Their answers were surprisingly similar on a few key points, while Teixeira used one answer to criticize his opponent.

Both Masayko and Teixeira said they are in favor of raising water rates to build more and maintain existing water supply infrastructure.

"We have an abundance of water," said Teixeira, "but what good is it if you can't deliver it? If the water's there, we should put the infrastructure there."

"We can solve water supply problems," Masayko said. "It just takes money."

The candidates also agreed the annexation of Indian Hills is highly unlikely because of a lack of cooperation from Douglas County.

"The chance of annexing any property in Douglas County is slim to none," Teixeira said, "and slim just left town."

"In a word, no," Masayko said.

Masayko is in favor of a new casino, proposed by former Beverly Hillbilly Max Baer Jr.

Baer's plans include a 200-foot flaming oil derrick and 240-room hotel and restaurants with the "Beverly Hillbillies" theme. Baer is involved in a court battle with the property owner, Supervisor Shelly Aldean's Glenbrook Co., which wants a more "suitable" tenant.

"If he overcomes restrictions, more power to him," Masayko said. "It's properly zoned, so why not?"

Teixeira wants the added revenue, but wants to impose restrictions on the developer.

"If they have revenue, why not?" Teixeira said. "I'm against the flame-shooting derrick, though. That should not be the Eiffel Tower of Carson City. The silver dome is our Eiffel Tower."

Masayko's take on redevelopment was more cautious than Teixeira's:

"Redevelopment is a useful, powerful tool," Masayko said, "but eminent domain is a nasty word. Sometimes elected officials get overly exuberant. We need to pay attention to how elected officials use that tool."

"Give incentives," Teixeira said. "Get bankers to come in and make investments. Get a buy-in. Let everybody buy into it and it can work. It's only when the city doesn't do its homework that it becomes a struggle."

In a redevelopment district, assessed property values in an area are frozen when the district is formed. However, as property values rise in a redevelopment area, tax revenues on the difference are used for improvements in the area and would not flow to the schools. A majority of school district budgets come from property tax revenue.

Teixeira implied school districts get the short end of the redevelopment stick, because their share of property tax revenue is decreased.

He said cities should reimburse school districts that lose property tax revenue to redevelopment.

"The city should reimburse the schools, right Ray?"

Teixeira glanced at Masayko, who rolled his eyes.

Contact Robyn Moormeister at rmoormeister@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.