City considers partnerships as economic incentive

Joe McCarthy, the city's redevelopment manager, suggested supervisors consider forming partnerships with potential businesses.

During a presentation to Carson City Supervisors on Thursday, McCarthy said supervisors should be flexible in what they offer to developers considering doing business in the south side redevelopment area.

While the developer would be the dominant partner - and the party bringing the most resources to the table - the idea is to help attract projects "that otherwise wouldn't occur," he said.

This means that it must bring such things as jobs, infrastructure, "community wealth, citizen well-being and a stable tax base," McCarthy said.

What the city might offer in return: Tax breaks or other financial assistance, infrastructure or other public improvements, or quicker processing of plans, permits or other requirements to get the business operating as quickly as possible.

"Some people thought project area No. 2 would be similar or identical to the downtown redevelopment area," said Supervisor Robin Williamson, also chairwoman of the authority. "It's not. We have to be creative."

Supervisors considered the possibility of closed meetings with potential business leaders.

"Having all meetings public with a developer won't work because they won't come to the table," City Manager Linda Ritter explained after the meeting.

Most business owners prefer to meet behind closed doors for as long as possible when they negotiate. They want to ensure information about how they do business isn't spread around to protect their proprietary rights, she said.

This could include closed meetings with these people, as was done when city officials met with auto dealers to find out what they require to do business here.

The city has been highly dependent on auto sales, which have been making up about one-third of the city's taxable sales revenue. Supervisors, however, want to draw revenue from a wider variety of retailers.

In June, the city's taxable sales coming from auto dealers were down by 25 percent when compared to June 2005, to $27 million this year versus $33.8 million last year. Auto sales are down 5 percent for the fiscal year to $305.9 million, according to the Nevada Department of Taxation.

Taxable sales totals for the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30, will be discussed by the supervisors during their Sept. 21 meeting.

In other business, the supervisors:

• Named an appraiser to determine the worth of the Wilson property, 111 acres at the end of Ash Canyon the city seeks to purchase for open space.

• Allowed for easement agreements with the state to build and maintain underground utilities that need to be relocated for Phase 2A of the Carson City Freeway near East Fifth Street.

• Approved a final subdivision map for the second phase of Sundance Ridge, which will create 32 lots on land at Lepire and Fairview drives. The developer has plans to build duplexes at the site.

• Approved new rules for auto dealership signs.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.