Editorial: Homeless tax vote risky but worth it

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 | 8:51 a.m.

Each year the number of homeless people in Southern Nevada increases and each year administrators who assist the homeless lament their agencies' diminishing budgets. Over the past five years, more than $20 million from government funds and private donors have gone into local homeless programs. But the funding continually falls well short of meeting the needs for beds, food, medical supplies, counseling and other services. With money stagnating, the Homeless Task Force of the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition is recommending an advisory question on the Nov. 5 ballot.

This county-wide question would ask voters to approve a property tax increase of 1 cent for every $100 of their homes' assessed value. This increase would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $3.50 a year. Tax rates vary from location to location within Clark County, but in the city of Las Vegas it would mean the owner of a $100,000 home would see his $1,139 property tax bill jump to $1,142.50. The increase would generate about $4 million a year that would be placed in a trust fund administered by regional elected officials.

If the recommendation is ultimately approved by the County Commission, and if voters approve it, the 2003 Legislature would decide whether to impose the increase. While the $4 million would nowhere near meet the current need -- the MASH Village shelter alone spends that much in a year -- it could be used to leverage loans and grants and over time it would grow and possibly become the long-term solution that is so badly needed.

Although the ballot question is risky -- public officials could use a negative vote by the voters as justification to further cut services to the homeless -- we think the possible benefit is worth giving it a try.