Tax formula change advances, snubs North Las Vegas

CARSON CITY — Without any public comment Thursday, the Assembly Taxation Committee unanimously approved a bill that would change how state taxes are distributed to local governments but would not give North Las Vegas the additional $25.8 million a year it sought.

Mayor Shari Buck had requested last week that the additional money be added to North Las Vegas’ base payment, but the committee made no attempt to accommodate her. Instead Chairwoman Irene Bustamante Adams quickly called for a vote on Assembly Bill 68.

After the vote, Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, said the city, the third-largest in the state, will receive about $3 million more a year in “C” taxes, consolidated taxes, but the base calculation that has been used for the tax distribution formula has not been changed.

The additional funds will come for changes in the formula on how excess revenue will be distributed.

Buck had argued last week that in terms of population, North Las Vegas receives far less per capita than other cities in Clark County.

But Kirkpatrick said Thursday that besides population, the taxes are distributed according to the assessed values of cities and the consumer price index.

The assessed value of North Las Vegas is half of Henderson’s, although their populations are about 40,000 apart.

She said that a subcommittee she leads reviewed the tax back to its beginning and tried to develop a formula that was as fair as possible for all communities.

The bill now heads to the Assembly floor for a vote of all members. Then it will be sent to the Senate for more hearings and a vote.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.