Proposed sales tax hike won't be on ballot

An effort by Carson City Supervisor Pete Livermore to get any proposed use of a

1⁄8-cent sales tax increase placed on the November ballot was defeated 4-1 Thursday.

Livermore had hoped to convince the other board members that there was enough interest in the issue to warrant an advisory question.

"There would be $1 million a year in new revenue coming from the economics of this town," Livermore said. "Is this the right time to do this?"

But Supervisor Robin Williamson said she was elected to make decisions in the best interest of the city.

"Should we put everything to a vote of the people?" she asked. "That would make government unworkable."

And even though the agenda item did not state that the use of the 1⁄8-cent increase would be used to fund any part of the City Center Project, many who attended Thursday's meeting came to support Livermore's move because the tax initially came up as a possible funding source for a new downtown library.

Business owner Lori Bagwell said she was concerned that a sales tax increase could encumber the city for 20 years.

"When we elected you, we did not give up our right to vote," Bagwell said.

A petition being circulated by Bagwell and a number of other residents is asking that the advisory question be placed on the 2012 ballot.

It is unlikely there is enough time to raise the required 4,000-5,000 signatures needed to place the question on this year's ballot, and it could be a moot point by 2012, but Bagwell said the group already has collected more than 500 names.

Resident Emma Reynolds said the tax could end up being be a millstone around the necks of residents, and that it had the potential to make or break businesses.

Resident John Wagner said Carson City's sales tax was already 1⁄2 cent higher than Douglas's and could drive people to shop across the city's southern border.

Carol Howell said voters should be consulted on major decisions.

"You guys need to come to us to ask us how we feel," she said.

But Pat Sanderson disagreed.

"We elect leaders to lead, to take a look at what's bad and do something about it, or at least see whether it pencils out," he said.

Janice Baldwin supported an advisory vote.

"We want a vote, that's all we're saying," she said. "Right now is not a time to increase spending - we're in a crisis. Let's recognize we're in a down time, and I hope we can work together during this crisis."

Supervisor Shelly Aldean said she has not decided whether to support the City Center Project, but was concerned that the Thursday discussion was focused only on it.

"This (1/8 cent) could be used for other infrastructure projects," she said. "This (motion) has broader implications that just the City Center."