A graph from Carson City Public Works showing road construction costs surpassing gas tax revenue from 2000 to 2022.
A little more than a month before the Nov. 5 general election, officials from Carson City Public Works and the transportation division will host an educational presentation on road funding and two related ballot measures voters will ultimately approve or reject.
The educational meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 in the community center board room, 851 E. William St.
“The public is invited to attend this presentation, which will include a moderated question-and-answer session about funding measures being presented to voters in Carson City,” the city said in a news release. “The presentation will include details about the funding measures approved by the Board of Supervisors for placement on the November 2024 election ballot. It will also include information related to project selection and implementation as well as a summary of the next steps pending the results of the November 2024 election.”
Officials added, “Carson City values your feedback about funding options for the preservation and repair of your streets and roads and strongly encourages attendance.”
More information on local road funding is online: https://www.carson.org/government/departments-g-z/public-works/preserve-carson-city-roads
Road funding was part of the 2022 election as well, when a 5-cent-per-gallon diesel tax was approved by 61 percent of the electorate. This election, two tax measures will be on the ballot that could raise an estimated $7 million a year specifically for local roads, those neighborhood streets that don’t qualify for federal grants like regional arterials or collector roads.
In April, supervisors approved two ballot measures including 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).
An estimated $21 million annual shortfall to maintain the city’s roadway network in existing condition led local leaders, officials and the public through different funding options over the last two years.
At a public presentation April 9, Public Works staff said the city tried to solve the funding problem in the past. Carson voters, for example, rejected a fuels tax indexing measure (not to exceed 3 cents a gallon each year) on the 2016 ballot. Approximately 66 percent of the electorate rejected the measure, according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office.
The source of the current shortfall, officials maintained during the April presentation, is road construction costs have exceeded fuels and sales taxes set in place decades ago. A graph they provided showed local gas tax revenue growing by 25 percent from 2000 to 2022 and construction costs growing by 123 precent during the same time.
Members of the public have been skeptical of certain revenue proposals, like a general improvement district, or GID, with special assessments on properties. At a Regional Transportation Commission meeting in August, Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell emphasized the Board of Supervisors decided on the ballot measures, leaving them up to voters, and would not pursue a GID without voter approval.
While a new sales tax would affect both visitors and residents, RTC member Jim Dodson previously pointed out the government service tax would capture revenue from those with electric vehicles that don’t contribute to fuels taxes.
The 2022 pavement analysis of the city’s roadways performed by Applied Pavement Technology, which explains pavement conditions and the funding shortfall, is online: https://www.carson.org/home/showpublisheddocument/81997/637997890040900000.
The road-funding ballot questions will also be discussed during one of four election forums cosponsored by the Nevada Appeal. Pros and cons of the ballot questions will be part of a public forum starting at 6 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.) on Oct. 7 at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King St.