Clark County news briefs for July 21, 1999

Wednesday, July 21, 1999 | 10:38 a.m.

Commission raises tax on construction

Clark County commissioners unanimously approved a new housing construction tax Tuesday that is expected to generate an additional $800,000 a year for new parks and renovations to existing parks.

The tax, which has not been increased since 1992, will be raised from 32 cents a square foot -- which has generated about $5 million a year for parks -- to 36 cents a square foot. The funds can only be used for parks that are 25 acres or less.

Commissioner Myrna Williams, who recommended the tax increase, emphasized Tuesday that the adjustment does not affect the general public.

"This is a tax on new housing," she said. "It's a one-time cost that becomes insignificant with the cost of a new home."

New rental car facility under way

Plans for a new McCarran International Airport rental car facility are officially under way after Clark County commissioners gave airport officials permission to negotiate agreements with car rental companies.

It will be up to the eight businesses on Rental Car Road to absorb the cost to move to the county's new facility, which is scheduled to be completed by 2003.

The rental car facility will be built on 65 acres bordered by Warm Springs Road to the south, George Crocket Street to the north, Gillespie Street to the east and Haven Street on the west.

In addition to the eight rental car businesses, the county will also issue a request for proposals for three additional businesses. Commissioners asked airport administrators to make one of the three open spaces available to a disadvantaged business enterprise.

Deskin steps down from advisory board

Commissioners accepted a resignation letter Tuesday from Ruthe Deskin, who was serving on the Department of Family and Youth Services' citizens advisory committee.

Board members said Deskin, who has worked with the county's juvenile services for years, will be sorely missed by Clark County.

"Ruthe has been a leading force," Commissioner Myrna Williams said of Deskin, who is assistant to Las Vegas Sun Publisher Barbara Greenspun. "There are hundreds of thousands of people in Clark County who as children may have benefited from her services."

Commission approves lease for Walters

Commissioners approved a 50-year lease agreement with golf course developer Billy Walters for his newest venture on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Walters, who plans to open the course during the summer of 2000, will share 40 percent of his revenue with the Bureau of Land Management. The county's aviation division obtained the land from the BLM and worked out the deal with Walters.

The 110-acre property just south of Russell Road was sought by developers who had projects that ranged from golf courses to a Formula One racetrack winding around a golf course.