The sheriff's initiative and the community center fared better than museums in the recommendations given by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce board of directors Tuesday.
Members discussed the three questions on November's general election ballot concerning an addition of services in law enforcement, community center and the Douglas County Historical Society. All three ballot questions have to do with raising taxes for Douglas County residents.
The board gave approval to questions 1 and 2 but couldn't support question 3.
"People have a strong feeling about law enforcement and about a senior center, but their feelings aren't as strong for the historical society," said Skip Sayre, executive director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority.
"No one was opposed to question 3, but there are three things on the ballot having to do with an increase in taxes and it's hard for people to support all three," Sayre said.
Advisory question 1 will ask voters to support a .5 percent sales tax increase with the funding to be used for additional facilities and for personnel in the police force, fire district and criminal justice system.
The question asks voters to approve a half of 1 percent increase in the present 6.75 percent sales tax. Even if approved by voters, the initiative requires approval of the Nevada State Legislature.
The increase would generate an estimated $5.2 million to be used by law enforcement and criminal justice system. A small portion of the revenue, 7.5 percent or $390,000, is proposed on facilities while the balance of funds would be used for police officers, prosecutors, court personnel, juvenile services and equipment.
Question 2 asks voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax for senior services, libraries, parks and recreation programs and to preserve agriculture.
An estimated $2.6 million per year would be generated by this tax with up to $900,000 going toward a new community center with senior services and with an additional $500,000 used for maintenance and operation of the center, $500,000 for preservation of agriculture, $500,000 to be used to replace declining room tax revenues and $200,000 for operational costs for all of these programs.
"How many services are we going to provide?" said county commissioner Dave Brady. "We have to ask what we need and what would be nice to have. Like adult daycare - is this a business we want to get into?"
Chamber President Janet Geary said the present senior center doesn't compare with centers in other counties.
"Our senior center is way below standard and we're an affluent county," Geary said.
Question 3 asks voters to decide if they would want additional property taxes to go toward operation and maintenance of the Genoa Court House Museum and the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville.
"The museum hasn't been successful raising private money and money will go toward salaries," said Don Miner.
"They would be flush with cash if this passes instead of struggling," said Sayre. "They could bring in professionals to categorize, register and preserve history at a higher level."
If approved, this tax translates to an additional $10.71 per year for the owner of an average-priced home in the Minden/Gardnerville area, which in 2006 is $408,000 with an assessed value of $142,000.
Funds generated will be used to pay the salaries of a museum director, curator, management and bookkeeping services and building maintenance. Funding to collect, preserve and display historical artifacts will continue to be generated through donations, memberships and grants.
The Business Council of Douglas County hosts a public meeting to discuss ballot questions at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 at the CVIC Hall on Esmeralda Ave. in Minden. Refreshments will be served. There will also be access to the candidates before and after the event. Seating is limited, doors open at 5:30 p.m.
