Carson City Redevelopment Authority’s spending guide spurs discussion

Carson City’s Redevelopment Authority budget of $1.7 million next fiscal year won approval Monday, but it also sparked discussion regarding future possibilities.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors, acting in its capacity as Redevelopment Authority with Supervisor Karen Abowd the chairwoman, adopted the plan 4-1. It provides $792,633 for operations, $245,100 for debt service, $480,000 for payment to city government’s general fund in conjunction with the Michael Hohl automotive project, and about $200,000 for incentive payments. Supervisor Jim Shirk cast the dissenting vote.

Each year the authority starts out with most of the funds already committed, Supervisor Brad Bonkowski said, leaving little wiggle room for anything new. He said downtown, as well as other parts of town, need redevelopment help.

“I see a need coming up,” he said, opening a dialogue on when some of the $480,000 going into the general fund could be used instead for redevelopment. He said after the session he was broaching the subject now in case city general fund revenues pick up throughout the year and offer leeway for such a change.

Supervisor John McKenna asked whether the authority could be terminated. Staffers said that would be difficult, as 13 years of debt service remain.

After the discussion, McKenna made the motion to approve the authority budget and Bonkowski seconded it; they were joined in the majority by Mayor Robert Crowell and Abowd.