Board OKs wording for quarter-cent tax proposal

The Clark County Commission has approved language for an advisory ballot question on whether to raise the sales tax a quarter-percent to pay for $3 billion in water and sewer system improvements.

After failing last November to get the five votes necessary to impose the sales tax that had been authorized by the 1997 Legislature, the commission opted to let voters decide if they preferred that over raising water rates and connection charges.

A favorable vote would give the commission the authority to approve the tax increase, which would expire by June 30, 2025, or after $2.3 billion is collected, whichever is first.

The language approved Tuesday states that regional facilities to improve the reliability of the Las Vegas Valley water system and meet the increasing demand for water and sewage capacity are currently under construction.

It then asks how Southern Nevada should pay for these "essential facilities" -- either with a quarter-cent sales tax that will keep increases in water rates, sewer fees and connection charges down, or without the tax increase and higher water rates, sewer fees and connection charges.

The ballot question has a page on the background of the sales tax hike, a page of arguments for imposing the quarter-cent increase, a page of arguments against the increase, and a page describing the projects.

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