Carson City property tax rate on supervisor’s agenda

The Carson City Board of Supervisors will discuss setting the property tax rate in order to put together the city’s 2017-2018 fiscal year budget.

The rate for the coming year is also due to the Nevada Department of Taxation by Feb. 22 so the state can make its own budget projections.

The actual setting of the rate will be voted on by the board at a later date.

In the current year, the board kept the same rate as the prior year, $3.52 per $100 assessed value.

The rate could be raised to a maximum of $3.66.

“A $0.05 increase in the property tax rate would have little impact on current homeowners due to the tax cap. The impact would mainly be on new construction; however, the owner of a new median-priced home would likely see an increase of less than $50 on an annual basis. The additional revenue growth would likewise be modest, but it would grow over time and new construction would be subject to the higher rate,” reads the staff report on the item.

The board will also take up three ordinances.

One making significant changes to the liquor code is up for a second reading.

Much of the discussion at the board’s last meeting, when the ordinance was first read, concerned restaurants selling alcohol to patrons seated outside.

Outdoor restaurant seating is part of an encroachment ordinance the city is working on, primarily due to street renovations downtown which added McFadden Plaza and wider sidewalks, giving businesses there space for outdoor seating or displays.

The encroachment ordinance will set up the rules for businesses to obtain a permit to use portions of the city’s right of way and will be discussed for information-only purposes before the liquor ordinance.

As drafted, it includes specific guidelines for outdoor dining, including furniture, umbrellas and lighting, as well as rules for signage and merchandise displays.

Finally, the board will hear on first reading an amendment to the city’s public nuisance ordinance.

The change would clarify that lodging includes residential motels as part of an effort by the city to clean up rundown motels that present a hazard to their residents.

Inspections of two extended stay motels have already been conducted and the city is getting ready to do a third.

The board will also decide whether to relinquish its entitlement status to the state for the coming year’s Community Development Block Grant cycle.

The change would mean the city would receive funding through an allocation from the state-administered CDBG program instead.

It would also free up about half the hours of the city grant administrator, who now manages the CDBG program.

The Board of Supervisors meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room, Carson City Community Center, 851 William St.