Transportation commission shelves idea to fund road repairs

The Carson City Regional Transportation Commission took no action Wednesday night after a presentation and report on local road-funding mechanisms, effectively shelving the option of a GID, or general improvement district with special assessments on properties.

“It’s really difficult because, again, your report is coming after the board has already made its decision,” said Mayor Lori Bagwell, who chairs RTC and the Board of Supervisors.

Bagwell added: “I don’t think your Board of Supervisors would implement a GID without a vote of the people.”

The report on road-funding mechanisms was presented by city staff and Hansford Economic Consulting. In April, the RTC unanimously approved amending Hansford’s contract for a new total amount not to exceed $114,920. Hansford facilitated the city’s efforts to explore funding options in public meetings, workshops and reports since 2022.

“Realistically, what we’ve asked you to do is come up with some funding mechanisms to make up the shortfall,” said RTC member Gregory Novak, who pointed out he was appointed to the RTC, not elected. “I think the logical decision tree you came up with says we do the ballot issues first and see how they turn out. And if they both fail, and we still want to pursue additional funding, GIDs make sense.”

Bagwell, however, maintained supervisors already decided, and that Hansford’s contract should be concluded.

In April, supervisors approved two ballot measures for the Nov. 5 general election: a .25 percent sales tax and a supplemental government services tax collected during DMV registration (1 cent of $1 for up to 35 percent of vehicle value that depreciates over time).

If approved by voters, the ballot measures could raise an estimated $7 million, and supervisors restricted the proposed funding mechanisms to local roads.

Unlike regional collectors or arterials that qualify for federal grants, the majority of the city’s roadway network consists of local roads. An estimated $21 million annual deficit to maintain the network in existing condition led the city through the different funding options and ultimately to the ballot measures.

“One of things that is kind of unique is that when we present ballot measures, the city is forbidden from spending money and doing things to promote ballot measures,” said Bagwell.

However, Bagwell said the city can legally provide education, and she hoped there would be educational public workshops before the election.

During public comment, Carson City Clerk-Recorder Scott Hoen told RTC members sample ballots would go out Sept. 23, and mail ballots would go out Sept. 30, with early voting starting Oct. 19.

Also during public comment, Carson resident Mark Costa worried that even if the ballot measures pass, a large deficit would remain for road-funding. He wondered if this gap would discourage voters from supporting the ballot measures.