Elko commissioners vote against gas tax

Monday, Oct. 20, 1997 | 2:47 a.m.

Commissioner Llee Chapman, chairman of the Regional Transportation Commission that recommended the county consider raising the tax to the maximum, was the only commissioner to vote for the measure.

Commission Chairman Royce Hackworth called for the straw poll following the regular commission meeting, which ran late and into the time set aside for the public hearing on the gas tax proposal. By that time, no one else was present.

Eleven people attended two previous public hearings held in Elko and Spring Creek.

"Why should we keep killing ourselves if no one is going to come out to these things?" Chapman asked. "If the four of you guys are against this, then I don't see any need to continue."

Commissioner Roberta Skelton said the threat from Clark and Washoe counties to have the tax distribution changed to keep counties from importing taxes if they have not imposed the maximum tax rate will not come before the Legislature for another two years.

"I know it's a necessary evil, but I'm not very comfortable with the support we've seen," Skelton said. "Let's put it on the back burner since it won't come up until the next session."