Tuesday Q&A: No increased taxes for Lyon residents

Despite a ballot measure asking voters to advise the county commission on a sales tax increase, Lyon County Comptroller Josh Foli said there will be no tax increase in Lyon County, either for sales tax or property tax.

The ballot measure is advisory and will be used by the county commissioners to gauge public opinion on a sales tax increase to: acquire, develop, construct, equip, operate, maintain, improve and manage libraries, parks, recreational programs and facilities and facilities and services for senior citizens, and to preserve and protect agriculture or for any combination of purposes.

There was some discussion about a possible tax increase earlier this year when the South Lyon County Hospital District and the City of Yerington both requested a tax increase from the Nevada Tax Commission. The two requests pushed the county over the tax limit mandated by the state. At that point, all parties requesting a tax increase had to meet and come up with a solution that remained under the tax cap.

Foli recommended that in order to get a seat at the table, the Lyon County Board of Commissioners also request a tax cap, which they did. Later however, all three entities decided to keep taxes in Lyon County the same.

Did the county pass the same budget proposed in March?

The county made a few changes to the tentative budget.

What changes were made?

The county changed the property tax revenues slightly to match updated numbers based on increases in property values.

The workers compensation insurance estimate was changed to reflect actual rates received after the tentative budget, which where approximately $100,000 more.

An additional $20,000 (total of $30,000 per year now) was allocated to Lyon Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse due to that organization losing a similar amount in grant funding.

An additional $8,000 (total of $32,000 per year now) was allocated to Northern Nevada Development Authority for economic development activities.

An emergency management position was added to the budget with an approximate cost of $165,000.

The road department added a road technician inspector position.

The actual cost of health insurance was approximately $70,000 less than projected.

Is there a tax increase for Lyon County Property owners?

The final budget does not include a tax-rate increase for property owners.

Will there be a sales tax increase?

The final budget does not include a sales tax increase.

What is the current property tax rate?

Total tax rate between various districts vary by area, but the tax rate for all County-provided services remained at 86.44 cents of per hundred dollars of assessed valuation.

What is the current sales tax rate in Lyon County?

Lyon County's current sales tax rate is 6.5 percent.

What new positions are being funded, if any?

A senior administrative clerk in the Lyon County Recorder's Office; a public services manager for the library; two sergeants, two deputies and a dispatch supervisor for the sheriff's office; a deputy court services officer; increased days for the judge and a bailiff for Canal Township District Court; a part-time administrative clerk in the juvenile probation department for Yerington.; a part-time senior administrative clerk in the same department for Silver Springs; an administrative clerk in the planning department; an auto mechanic in the vehicle maintenance shop; a transportation specialist for senior services; a road technician inspector for the road department; and an administrative clerk and three utility system technicians in the utilities department.

Are there any additional services or improvement in services county residents can expect?

The current budget attempts to maintain the same service level with the same tax rate.