Monday, May 27, 2024 | 2 a.m.
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In my time as a councilman in North Las Vegas, I have seen our city grow and thrive in a way that few thought was possible. Since 2013, our population has grown by more than 25% and we’re now home to more than 7,000 businesses. Families and businesses have cast their vote for North Las Vegas by calling it their home. Now we are asking them to vote yes to keep their NLV home safe into the future.
This success didn’t happen accidentally. An essential component to building this prosperity has been consistent investment in our public safety and our infrastructure. In 1995 and 1996, voters authorized a special property tax to fund investments in the city’s public safety and infrastructure services. Residents of North Las Vegas have the chance to vote to continue to allocate these property tax dollars to public safety and infrastructure during the June 11 primary election.
Questions 1 and 2 on the ballot offer a crucial choice: whether or not to continue funding critical city services through existing tax overrides without altering the current property tax rates.
Let me say that again: These measures do not propose an increase in taxes.
Rather, the approval of Questions 1 and 2 would allow the continuation of the current allocation of tax dollars that residents are already contributing to. This approach ensures that vital services remain funded without additional financial burden on residents. Voting yes on Questions 1 and 2 would mean maintaining our current funding for police, fire services, street maintenance and parks. This decision is pivotal as it directly influences the daily lives and safety of North Las Vegas residents.
Voting no on Questions 1 and 2 would not mean a decrease in property taxes for the residents of North Las Vegas; instead, other entities that collect property taxes would receive a higher share of the taxes that are currently being used for these vital services.
Basically, if the questions do not pass, residents pay the same amount but receive fewer services.
I encourage voters to learn more about what these funds are used for and why they’re being asked to vote on these issues. The city has created Questions1and2.org to help people understand these issues and make an informed decision when they vote.
Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. once said, “Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.” Nobody likes to pay taxes. But these ballot questions will allow us to continue to provide the vital services that have allowed North Las Vegas to thrive.
Question 1, which invests in Fund 268, is allocated for the North Las Vegas Fire Department and North Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Department. In the past 30 years, these funds have resulted in partially funding the building of the first new fire station in over a decade; purchasing of new fire and rescue trucks; purchasing of lifesaving Technical Rescue Equipment to respond to events like flash floods and chemical containment events; upgrading the city’s public safety camera system; conducting street maintenance as well as traffic and roadway improvements; and rehabilitating parks, pools, recreational facilities and community centers while continuing to develop new ones.
Question 2, which invests in Fund 287, is allocated to support public safety and the North Las Vegas Police Department including the Community Corrections Center and Animal Protective Services. The fund supports approximately 65 positions in the Police Department, Community Corrections Center and Animal Protection Services, as well as the equipment and other related expenses for each of those positions.
As we approach the primary election, the choices we make at the polls will determine the future of our city’s essential services. Questions 1 and 2 are not just about maintaining our current quality of life — they are about ensuring that North Las Vegas continues to be a safe, vibrant and thriving community. Every vote will affect how our fire services, parks, streets and police protections are funded.
I’ll be voting yes on Questions 1 and 2; I hope my fellow residents join me.
Scott Black serves on the North Las Vegas city council, representing Ward 3.
