Lyon commission to rethink opposition to property tax relief

YERINGTON - Lyon County commissioners Thursday will reconsider their opposition to the state granting property tax relief to a Fernley printing firm.

Commissioner Bob Milz requested the decision be reconsidered.

Quebecor Nevada Printing has applied to the Nevada Commission on Economic Development for a 50 percent personal property tax abatement on $12.6 million in new equipment for a plant expansion. Total benefits over the 10-year period of the abatement would total approximately $274,570.

A Fortune 500 company, Quebecor's expansion will create 75 new jobs at an average wage of $17.19 per hour, say company officials.

On April 6 county commissioners voted 4-1 against supporting the tax relief request. When Quebecor officials subsequently failed to appear at the April 12 hearing before the Commission on Economic Development, the request was continued until the commission's May 10 meeting in Elko.

The Economic Development Commission is required to notify local governments of property tax abatement requests but the board is not bound by local decisions. According to Commission Executive Director Bob Shriver, however, the board does not like to give abatements without the support of local entities.

Expressing his opposition at the April 6 meeting, Commissioner David Fulstone said he was against property tax abatements and asked why a Fortune 500 company needed such an incentive. Commissioners also expressed dismay at not having more time to review such requests and complained of having no authority in the decision making process.

The Lyon County commissioners meet at the Courthouse Annex, 31 South Main Street, Yerington, beginning at 9 a.m. Call 577-5037 (Dayton/Silver Springs) or 463-6531.

If you go

What: Lyon County commission

Where: Courthouse Annex, 31 South Main Street, Yerington

When: 9 a.m. Thursday

For information: Call 577-5037 (Dayton/Silver Springs) or 463-6531