Sales tax eyed for Douglas senior center funding

Douglas County Commissioners will consider today putting a quarter-cent sales tax on the November ballot to provide funding, construction and maintenance of a new senior center.

If approved by voters, the measure would generate an estimated $2.2 million annually, said Scott Morgan, Douglas County's community services director.

"The last time we considered this tax, we figured about 45 percent is paid by people not living in Douglas County," Morgan said.

The enabling legislation for this type of use was adopted during the 2005 Legislature.

State law authorizes use of the tax revenues for libraries, parks, recreational programs and facilities, services and facilities for seniors and for preservation and protection of agriculture.

The newly approved law does not structure this ballot question as advisory. If placed on the ballot, the voters will decide this issue, said District Attorney Scott Doyle in a letter to county officials.

The measure could have a maximum life of 30 years, Morgan said.

A proposal that would have levied a 1.5 percent utility tax to fund a new Douglas County Senior Center was denied in early February for lack of a motion, following a public outcry.

"I'm all in favor of Meals on Wheels and the senior center, but in my mind it's only serving a small percentage of the senior population," said Douglas County resident John Morgan. "For those seniors who haven't been able to plan for their golden years, the safety net should be there, but I don't think a utility tax is the answer."

Designed to accommodate Douglas County's burgeoning senior population, the proposed 24,800-square-foot center could be located on 25 acres known as the Bently Depot Yard in Minden.

The proposed center would include a large commercial kitchen to provide Meals on Wheels and an expanded lunch program, in addition to a large dining room and senior day-care facility, deemed crucial by the Senior Advisory Committee.

-- Contact reporter Susie Vasquez at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.

If you go

WHAT: Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting to consider a tax to fund a new senior center

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: County Administration Building, 175 Highway 50, Stateline