News briefs for September 2, 1999

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 10:50 a.m.

Leases from BLM sought in northwest

The city's rural northwest is being eyed for a large master-planned park.

On Wednesday the council unanimously authorized the city staff to apply to the Bureau of Land Management for two separate land leases.

One involves 105 acres near the southwest corner of Jensen Street and Alexander Road. The other involves 80 acres at the northwest corner of Hualapai Way and Alexander Road.

If the BLM approves the lease, the city plans to construct a large recreation and open-space facility.

Construction-tax boost approved

New-home prices in Las Vegas will likely see a slight increase to fund city park projects thanks to a construction tax hike approved Wednesday by the City Council.

Councilman Larry Brown sponsored the bill that increased the tax imposed on most new residential construction. The bill, which passed unanimously, increases the tax from $32 a square foot to $36 a square foot.

The increase is expected to bring in an additional 12.5 percent in construction taxes to fund park projects. Had it been in place for the past five years, the increase would have produced an additional $1.9 million.

The Clark County Commission recently adopted a similar residential construction tax increase for parks. The Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association said the impact on the price of a new home will be minimal. The extra $4 per square foot comes to $7,200 on an 1,800-square-foot home.

Boggs McDonald's proposal introduced

Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald's proposed change in the city's ethics code was introduced without comment Wednesday.

The bill imposes additional financial disclosure requirements related to real estate on candidates for office and elected officials.

Her proposal came in response to criticism aired during the recent mayoral race regarding the city's disclosure requirements. Candidates for office were not required to disclose business partners or the precise location of real estate holdings.

The proposed change in the city's code of ethics will require both.