4 Thursday, September l !, 1997 PahrumP Valley Gazette
Issue of raising room tax raises tempers
by Andy Holtmann
Gazette Staff
PAHRUMP - Not too many people who attended
Tuesday's Town Board meeting had a problem with the
issue of raising the room tax in Pahrump. The differences
of opinion mainly had to do with what to spend the extra
revenue generated on.
The proposal would raise room tax in the town from
six percent to 10 percent. Board member Steve Rainbolt
said the money should be used to generate funds for the
fire department, which have been in desperate need of
new equipment.
Board Member Bob Little announced right off the bat
that he was in opposition to using the funds as capital
expenditures for the fire department.
"The whole intent of the room tax was to be used to
promote additional tourism," he said. "I'm not saying
that the town or fire department does not need the equip-
ment, but I think that is something the town residents
have to decide on."
Little went on to say that Las Vegas has a room tax of
nine percent. The money that was generated was used to
build a convention center and in advertising tactics that
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ultimately brought more revenue to the city. His concern
was that if the money was not spent on enticing people to
come, then they would stop coming.
"That's complete hogwash," Rainbolt said. "You can-
not convince me that tourists will stop coming here. We
keep dumping on this that we are going to put the tourism
industry here out of business. If the tourists come here,
they want to feel safe and know we have a top notch fire
department."
"You're telling me a four percent increase in room tax
is going to make them feel safe?" Little asked. "If we're
going to raise the room tax, let's spend it on something
that's going to generate more tourism."
Jack Sanders, representing the Pahrump Valley Win-
ery said he was not opposed to a small tax increase, but
he questioned the legality of spending on something
other than tourism.
"This goes beyond just rooms," he said. "These are tax
dollars and they come from tourism. Most of our tourism
comes from Clark County. We don't get a lot of out of
state tourism here. We need to put any money raised back
into the tourism industry."
Town Attorney Leonard Smith said that while the
power to raise room taxes was in the hands of the town,
he wanted to check with the State Tax Commission as to
the legality of spending the revenue on anything outside
of tourism.
Vic John son, the director of communications for emer-
gency services in Pahrump had a different view.
Every time the volunteer fire department has gone
before the Town Board, they have to fight for what they
need and often times don't get it," Johnson said. "The
tourists who come through here do not demand to know
where their room taxes are being spent. Here is a chance
for revenue for the town that doesn't come from the
town."
Dennis Duesing of Saddle West Hotel and Casino
wanted more clarity on the legality of the room tax plans.
He felt it was wrong to spend the generated funds on the
fire department and not tourism. He also said that the
increased taxes might drive people away.
"Don't throw these scare tactics at me because they
don't hold any water," Rainbolt said, clarifying that this
remark was not directed at Duesing but at the touri., |
industry.
Chairwoman Charlotte LeVar brought up the issue of
RV parks. The parks fall under the category of room tax
and would also be affected by the increase. Board Mem-
ber Charlie Gronda said that he felt they were not paying
their fair share as taxes were not being properly collected.
He has plans to begin an investigation.
The initial motion made by Rainbolt was withdrawn
pending further discussion with the state as to whether
the funds can be used for the fire department.
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We'll take the wat00 ,r, hold the park please
by Andy Holtmann
Gazette Staff
PAHRUMP - The idea of having to build a second
park in the northern end of the valley was not one that
Pahrump Town Board members wanted to jump right
into.
Ted Blosser made a proposal to the board members in
which 31 acre feet of water rights would be sold to the
town for a cost of $24,800. The only stipulations were
that 15 of those 31 acre feet were to be used for a park near
the intersection of Greta Boulevard and David Street, and
that the park was to be completed within 10 years.
Town Board members were concerned that the north
end of the valley did not need another park as badly as the
south end did. They also did not like the idea of a time
limit being thrust upon them.
"I think we're kind of putting all our eggs in one end
of town if we do this," Board Member Steve Rainbolt
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said. "I have serious concerns about developing another
park in the north when it would be much better suited for
the south."
Acting Town Manager Peggy Warner said that the
land in question was already dedicated to the town with
the understanding that a park would eventually be con-
structed there. The land is essentially fr6e to the town.
Board Member Charlie Gronda said he is not opposed to
it becoming a park, but thought that they should have
more time to review the proposal.
"I just don't want to end up in the same situation as the
school district was in," Gronda said. "Calvada Meadows
offered them numerous pieces of land and they rejected
them. Calvada developed the land and now the district
needs another school in the area and they had to pay over
$200,000 for the land."
Town Attorney Leonard Smith was concerned that if
the town took the offer and didn't follow through with the
park, they would end up in breech of contract. However,
he also said that Blosser could sell that property at any
time and the town would lose out on the park and the
water rights.
While 15 acre feet would be set aside for the park,
there would still be 16 acre feet that the town has avail-
able t use where they see fit.
"I am not opposed to a park, I just want to make sure
this is a good deal," Rainbolt said. "Is this 16 acre feet of
water really worth the money it's going to cost us?"
Board Member Bob Little agreed. He had hoped that
all 31 acre feet would be available for the town's use.
"If we are going to have a fairground and arena in the
south end of town, those 16 acre feet of water rights, if not
all 31 would be suited there." he said.
Board members decided not to risk a decision until
they had more time to review the proposal. The issue was
placed on the agenda for the next meeting. If the offer is
still on the table by then, the town board hopes to have an
answer.
I
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