Economic hardship offered as key to property tax relief

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005 | 9:11 a.m.

There's a relatively simple way to provide property tax relief to those who need it the most, but legislators are not focusing on that possible solution, an advocate for taxpayers said Wednesday.

By expanding the definition of the economic hardship provision in state law, lawmakers could deliver help to people who really need property tax relief, Carole Vilardo, executive director of the Nevada Taxpayers Association, said on Wednesday's edition of "Face to Face With Jon Ralston" broadcast on Cox Cable channel 19.

The Legislature is hoping that by March a way can be found to stop rising property taxes. Next month is when local governments will begin to shape their budgets for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Lawmakers expressed frustration Tuesday as they try to overhaul a stable revenue source for school districts and local governments.

Many members of the Legislature have said they believe there will be a taxpayer revolt unless there is some relief from rising property taxes.

If the Legislature goes for a constitutional change, the process could take five years.

"If tax relief is needed now, the state can't wait five years," Vilardo said, whereas by defining a severe hardship, the Legislature could take its time finding a long-term solution.

Many Clark County and Washoe County residents are facing 20 percent to 50 percent tax rate increases come July tax bills. Clark County Assessor Mark Schofield said some residents in Southern Nevada could see as much as an 87 percent increase.

Some people may have bought an affordable house when taxes and interest rates were stable, Vilardo said. "Now it is not affordable," if the assessed value rises, she said.

Vilardo says the fact that state lawmakers are pulling in so many different directions with a variety of tax relief plans is worrisome. When it comes to taxes, Nevada lawmakers seem to "always (come up with) an odd ball" solution that winds up having unintended consequences, Vilardo said.

Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, R-Reno, was also a guest on Ralston's program, and Vilardo said she agreed with Angle that there has to be a balance between property tax restraint and a reign on government spending.

Angle said she has been looking at ways to solve the state's tax crisis since 1998.

"It's too bad that we are now going forward under a crisis," she said.

The third guest on Wednesday's show, homebuilders' lobbyist Jim Wadhams, said that certain taxpayers, such as seniors on fixed incomes, definitely need some form of relief.

"Generally, there is not much sympathy for the rich guy," Wadhams said.