Tax hike for transit criticized

Jeff Schweers

Friday, May 29, 1998 | 10:02 a.m.

The chairman of the Regional Transportation Commission said he won't consider raising the sales tax a quarter-percent to help finance a proposed $380-million fixed guideway system.

"One thing I can say categorically is we are not going to be seeking that at this time," RTC Chairman Bruce Woodbury said Thursday after reading a report that transportation officials were considering the option.

Congress has authorized $155 million in transit funds for the RTC's 5.2-mile fixed guideway project that would connect Cashman Field and downtown Las Vegas to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The balance of the funding costs must come from local governments. RTC officials said they have discussed a number of possible revenue sources, including the option of raising the sales tax a quarter-percent.

"The RTC does have that authority, and that's part of the slate of things they are going to be considering as part of their transportation funding plan," said Sam Tso, an engineer with Parsons Brinckerhoff, the consulting firm hired by the RTC to help plan and design the rail system.

Legislation approved in 1991 authorizes the RTC to raise the sales tax a half-percent. The panel already levied half of that, and can implement the remainder with voter approval.

Woodbury, who also sits on the Clark County Commission, said he doesn't want to raise sales taxes for a monorail, and doesn't think his fellow board members want to either.

"There's going to be no quarter-cent sales tax on this fall's ballot for monorail system and I doubt very much that sales tax will be part of any funding scenario for the future," Woodbury said, confident that his colleagues would reject such a proposal.

The County Commission already is asking voters for permission to raise the sales tax a quarter-percent to help finance a $2 billion water system expansion and offset higher water rates and connection charges.

"There's only so much you can do as far as asking local citizens to approve sales taxes," Woodbury said. "We already have a quarter cent for transit, a quarter cent for flood control, and are seeking a quarter cent for water to offset higher rates and hook-up fees. I think enough is enough."