Indian Hills cityhood vote may be dead issue

The manager of Indian Hills General Improvement District said Wednesday the attempt to create a city at the north end of Douglas County appears to be dead.

"I would be amazed if after today that thing actually gets out of the house," said Jim Bentley of AB394.

The bill calls for a vote of residents to decide whether to turn Indian Hills into the city of Sierra Hills. Its boundaries would include not only the Indian Hills residential area along Carson City's southern border but a commercial retail zone across the highway.

"It would be a miracle and I don't believe in miracles," Bentley said.

Douglas County officials fought the proposal, arguing it was not financially feasible and would take money from county coffers.

Their last effort came in the form of a study prepared by Hobbs, Ong & Associates of Las Vegas, the same consultants the Legislature uses to help develop tax policy.

The study raises serious questions about the proposed city's estimated revenues and expenses.

The study concluded revenues to Sierra Hills could be as much as $1.3 million less than projected at the same time debt service could come in higher than projected.

"Based on the uncertainties discussed above, decision makers would be well served to further analyze the projections before a final determination is made," the report concludes.

The biggest adjustment made by the consultants was to reduce projected property tax revenues to the new city by $820,000 a year, in large part because of new property-tax caps approved by the Legislature.

The consultants also cut back estimated gaming and liquor fees, as well as building permit revenues.

Bentley said he disagrees with the numbers but "it's probably all a moot point" because of a deadline which says all bills not out of committee in the house of origin by Friday are dead.

"I'm not aware of any work session or any intent to get it out of committee by Friday," said Bentley.

He commended Assembly Government Affairs Chairman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, for allowing a full hearing of the bill.

"It would have been nice, would have been appropriate to give residents the right to vote on it," said Bentley.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.