Construction tax talks heat up at town board
by Andy Holtmann
PVG Staff
PAHRUMP - Discussion of the contro-
versial Bill #97-14, the proposed $1,600
construction tax aimed at helping the Nye
County School District arose once again at
the Pahrump Town Board meeting Tuesday,
Oct. 28.
Board Member Gary Hollis placed it on
the agenda as an opportunity to relay his
concerns that the tax was being thrown on
the town too quicld(.
"I have major pi:blems with this," he
said. "According to the way this is written.
apartment renters will have to pay an extra
$1,600 per unit and developers might not get
the extra financing or revenue they need."
Hollis also said that the school district
was seeking a $10 million bond issue on the
upcoming ballot and that the money should
come from that before it comes from those
wishing to build in Pahrump. The $1,600
could make or break young people trying to
buy a home and all that would add up to is
slowing growth, he said.
Resident Ray Hendrix agreed. He said he
felt the school district concerns should have
been paid for out of PETT (Payments Equal
To Taxes) funds, but that the County Com-
missioners had depleted the funds on other
projects.
"I say let it go to the voters," Hendrix said.
"Many people want to help the schools. It
would be a lot more inexpensive if everyone
pays, not just the builders."
County Commissioner Cameron McRae
said that the tax would only affect new devel-
opment and that remodeling does not apply.
He said the commissioners' involvement is
through statute. The school district asked for
the public hearing and that thecommissioners
are the vehicle for getting that hearing sched-
uled.
Board Member Steve Rainbolt said that
the school district is desperate for money and
that they need the $1,600 tax in addition to a
potential bond.
Continaed on 12
WICKED WITCHES---She's just one of the many scary apparitions to see at
Ed and Norrell Bishop's haunted house at 7800 South Wildhorseln Pahrump.
See related Halloween stortes on page 3, 11 & 18.
Photo by Patti Babcock
PSC hears consumer complaints
by 4ndy Holtmann "We are just trying to do what would
PVG Staff
PAHRUMP - Residents in the Allen Es-
tates and Desert Trails subdivisions made it
clear Tuesday October 28, they will not
tolerate rate hikes in their water and sewer
bills.
In a consumer session at the Bob Ruud
Community Center, Desert Utilities presented
its case to the Public Service Commission
(PSC) for rate increases to cover past im-
provement expenses. General Manager Dan
Harris said that he and his father Hollis
Harris, who owns the company, wanted to
work out a fair and equitable proposal that
would ensure everyone was paying their fair
share for service.
ultimately benefit everybody," Harris said.
"We're definitely open to suggestions, that
is what this meeting was for."
Desert Utilities was formed in June of
1991, but did not make an impact until June
of 1993 when they signed an agreement to
purchase the Desert Irrigation Company.
The system they took over was old and in
ne of repair. The Harris' began improve-
ments which included: enlarging a water
storage tank and adding water lines.
In February 1995, the Harris' instituted
a $14.75 surcharge to their customers to
help pay for a $70,000 loan received to
cover expenses. Still, the company's ex-
Continued on page 4
FORK IN THE ROAD- Traffic on Highway 160 near Basin Road slowed on
Monday, Oct. 27 to get a look at this overturned forklift. The forklift was being
towed by a Davis Lumber truck, when the driver lost control after apparently
being cut off by another driver. There were no reported iuries.
Photo Andy Holtmann
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