Editorial: Growth issue belongs at local level

Friday, March 21, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

ALTHOUGH it may disappoint many Southern Nevadans, Gov. Bob Miller is right in resisting state-endorsed sales tax hikes to help Clark County's growth.

Instead, the governor supports enabling legislation to give the responsibility to local governments. That makes sense. Growth is Southern Nevada's problem and should be solved by its governments. Getting the Legislature into the tax game robs the County Commission and the City Council of accountability.

Southern Nevada is short at least $3 billion to fund infrastructure needs to keep up with the population growth. Schools, roads, sewer and water, police and fire protection top the list of growing deficiencies. A priority is to increase the sales tax to help fund $1.2 billion in water system improvements, along with a 1/2 percent water fee hike. Water is the Achilles' heel of Southern Nevada. Without more water, the area simply cannot thrive.

Miller's statements may give new life to efforts by various Southern Nevada interests to strengthen the existing voluntary fund-raising coalition. The casino and construction industries already have indicated they will help. Whether their offers will be sufficient to meet the needs is questionable.

Clark County's infrastructure problems have sparked a debate on whether casinos and new housing construction will be paying their fair share. That debate should receive a full airing at the level where it will count most -- local government.

One thing's for sure. Community support requires everyone to be on board. Otherwise, the public may revolt against sales tax hikes.

Local governments can't dodge this bullet. It's their problem, not the Legislature's. And that must be where the solution lies.