Thursday, March 27, 1997 | 2:48 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Two Clark County commissioners say they are not inclined to raise the sales tax just to pump more water into the Las Vegas Valley.
County Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Commissioner Myrna Williams said they might raise the sales tax if the money goes into a trust fund to handle growth-related needs in addition to water.
"We want a trust fund where you guarantee a certain revenue base" to pay for growth, Gates told the SUN editorial board during a meeting this week.
That view appears inconsistent with a position Gates and Williams have already taken.
Each voted for a resolution passed unanimously by the County Commission supporting a quarter-cent sales tax increase to help pay for a $2.9 billion water project, including a second pipe from Lake Mead and treatment facilities. It would accommodate a boost in the area's population from 1.1 million to 2.5 million in 20 years.
A bill in the Legislature is asking for the increase in Clark County just for the water project. Water rates and hook-up fees also would rise.
Gates and Williams said they like the trust fund instead, because it will help pay for $3.8 billion in "survival" needs, such as water, schools and mass transit, over the next 10 years. Their plan does not include parks, fire stations and other "quality of life" items.
The Assembly chairman overseeing growth issues said Wednesday he is against trust funds.
"If you're raising people's taxes, they want to know exactly what they get for their money," said Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas.
Goldwater has sparred with Gates over growth issues and appeared disappointed that two commissioners are taking a stance different from their vote on the resolution supporting the tax-for-water plan.
"I'm looking forward to a consistent message from the County Commission," Goldwater said. "I trust that the County Commission will come together. The people of Clark County will demand it."
Gov. Bob Miller has said he probably will not sign a bill that raises taxes to benefit just one county. Miller wants the Legislature to pass a bill that enables the County Commission to raise the tax.
Based on that, Goldwater has said the Legislature would likely send Miller a bill giving the commission the authority to raise the tax.
archive
