Searching for solutions: Political heavyweights go toe-to-toe over growth issues

Larry Henry

Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997 | 3:30 a.m.

At the conference table, the adversaries were only inches apart, but in terms of cooperation, the gap could be measured in light years.

A recent meeting between state Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, and Clark County Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atinkson Gates, conducted in the SUN conference room, lasted two hours and produced few answers to Southern Nevada's growth problems.

But some key points in the growth debate did surface.

Gates complained that the Legislature won't give local governments more power to do what they need, such as raise taxes for "big-ticket items" such as mass transportation.

Titus, who at times was antagonistic, especially when Gates seemed to lecture, said the Legislature is reluctant to grant authority because locals botch what they're given. She cited a plan to raise sales taxes a quarter-cent as an example. The Legislature authorized counties to raise the tax for growth needs, but Clark County might put the issue before voters, who are likely to reject it, according to polls.

As for real solutions, Gates said the county is working on a plan that should come out in mid-December to build roads, parks and fire stations. She would not offer specifics, but she said it probably wouldn't include immediate tax hikes.

Gates said growth can be beneficial because it creates jobs. The problem, she said, is that local governments haven't been able to build enough roads, schools and parks to accommodate large waves of new residents.

"We have been growing at the same rate for the past 10 years," Gates said. "We haven't been able to keep up with the infrastructure to support that level of growth."

Titus said the County Commission could solve some of the growth problem by not granting changes to its master plan. She said variances allow massive neighborhoods to crop up far from downtown, requiring new roads and sewage lines to be strung out into the valley.

Gates couldn't readily say how many developments the county has rejected in the past year, but she said Titus is wrong to claim it grants a lot of variances. She said that has only happened a couple of times and that city governments contribute to a perception that development is out of control.

Both were asked whether they'd pass laws making casino companies and developers pay higher taxes and fees because they benefit from growth.

Gates said casinos should pay more, but neither she nor Titus would propose a plan to raise the tax on gaming gross revenues.

Gates said the county lacks the authority to raise taxes on casinos. Titus said the county could ask the Legislature for the authority to do that, but commissioners haven't asked.

Both said an impact fee on new homes is a bad idea because developers would pass the cost to home buyers.

They also responded to a question about a moratorium on construction.

"Developers say they don't cause growth," Titus said. "They say they respond to growth. Even if you put a growth cap on housing starts, that doesn't necessarily mean people aren't going to move here. When people say we're growing too fast, they're responding to the bad symptoms of growth."

Gates said: "I asked our staff to do some research on growth caps. They don't work. If anyone ever imposes that, they better be ready to raise taxes, because there's going to be a slump in the economy, and you're going to lose jobs."

Otherwise, the meeting often bogged down in recriminations.

"It was discouraging," Titus said of the first face-to-face confrontation between the two officials many expect to take the lead in addressing growth.

The SUN asked Titus and Gates to meet because of their leadership roles.

Gates, as chairwoman of the County Commission, and Titus, who is minority leader in the state Senate, are in position to pass laws to address public concerns about growth. Polls show that up to 89 percent of Southern Nevada residents think Las Vegas is growing too fast.

But Titus and Gates' disagreements, which bristled below the surface and more than once bubbled over, represent a broader rift in the valley.

According to perception, elected officials from state, county and city governments have been unable to develop a coordinated growth plan, and they become territorial when one group proposes ideas that cross boundaries.

The feud between Titus and Gates, two Democrats who could face off if both run for higher office, took shape during the legislative session, which ended last month.

Gates and other commissioners criticized Titus' measure to create a growth boundary around Las Vegas.

The bill failed after critics, including Gates, said a ring around the valley would lead to urban density and higher housing costs.

During the meeting at the SUN, that spat dominated long stretches, but at the conclusion, Gates said she wants to mend bridges.

Gates has scheduled quarterly meetings beginning in October to bring the participants in the growth debate together.

"I don't think it's necessary for the adversarial relationship to continue," Gates said. "Don't take it personal."

Titus has received an invitation and said she'll attend.