Douglas County February 2013

D OUGLAS C OUNTY , N EVADA

N EWS Y OU C AN U SE V OLUME 2, I SSUE 13

C OUNTY E NDS F ISCAL Y EAR 11-12 Douglas County continues to effectively manage its General Fund budget, finishing last fiscal year by generating 0.64% more revenue than was budgeted and spending 0.80% less than was budgeted. The total General Fund budget variance for Fiscal Year 201112 was 1.44%, which is generally viewed as very accurate budgeting and diligent financial management.

The Board of Commissioners is considering utilizing the one-time funds from prudent financial management for one-time investments in adopted strategic priorities, including preventative road maintenance, update of the transportation plan and remapping flood areas in the Carson Valley from the flawed FEMA study. The Board has also used available one-time

G ENOA V ISTA T RAIL O PENS

F EBRUARY , 2013

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funds from prudent financial management for restoring reserves and funding community grants. Over the past four years, Douglas County has eliminated over 70 full-time positions, reduced employee salaries by 5% and stabilized personnel expenses for three years, and shifted existing property tax revenue to fund critical public services. Fiscal Year

TO THE

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P UBLIC

The new 1.3 mile paved trail from Walley’s Hot Springs to downtown Genoa is now open to the public. A dedication ceremony of the newly constructed Genoa Vista Trail was held on Saturday, January 26, 2013.

Nearly 200 people joined Douglas County, Town of Genoa and other state and local leaders to cut the ribbon Douglas County and Town of Genoa officials cut the ribbon to and open the trail. open the Genoa Vista Trail on January 26th.

Construction of the trail is part of the Genoa Destination Project, one of ranchlands, a conservation ping, dining, picnicking, and 12 Douglas County Ecoarea and wetlands, provides sightseeing in the Town of nomic Vitality projects that visitors a variety of recreaGenoa. “I believe the trail is strive to create a commutional activities including bik- one additional reason for nity to match the scenery. ing, walking and bird watch- visitors to come to Genoa.

The trail, which parallels ing, as well as links to shop(Continued on page 3)

13-14 B UDGET C ALENDAR

February 15— preliminary revenue numbers from State February 21—Board to approve budget direction and policies March 11—Strategic Planning and Priority Based Budgeting Workshop; 1st Annual Financial State of the County April 9 and 10—Board of Commissioners tentative budget hearings May 8 and 9—Board of Commissioners tentative budget hearings, including Capital Improvement Plan May 20—Board of Commissioners public hearing and adoption of final budget June 1—Final budget due to State of Nevada

I NSIDE

THIS ISSUE :

P OSITIVE E CONOMIC T RENDS

2

C OMMUNITY C ENTER

2

F ISCAL Y EAR IN B LACK ( CONT )

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G ENOA V ISTA T RAIL ( CONT )

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FAQ S

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N EWS Y OU C AN U SE

P AGE 2

P OSITIVE E CONOMIC I NDICATORS “H OME SALES ARE THE HIGHEST SINCE 2005 AND PRICES INCREASED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2006.

M ANUFACTURING JOBS INCREASED BY 108 OVER THE PAST YEAR AND ARE SIMILAR TO 2006 LEVELS .”

After four years of significant economic challenges locally and nationally, there are several recent economic indicators to be optimistic about in Douglas County. Unemployment in Douglas County is the lowest it has been for over three years. Average employment for the manufacturing sector continues a positive trend with a net increase of 108 new jobs over the past year, totaling 1,781 manufacturing jobs, which is similar to 2006 employment levels.

Home sales in Douglas County are the highest since 2005 and average home sale prices in the Carson Valley have increased for the first time since 2006.

Building permits are at their highest since 2008. Due to heavy snow in December, Lake Tahoe accommodations have experienced strong advance bookings and a 20% increase in average rates. Main Street Gardnerville has seen a net increase in 38 businesses since 2009 and the town of Genoa has welcomed 8 new busi-

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nesses since 2011. A new Dollar General store opened recently in Gardnerville Ranchos. A new Radio Shack and Five Guys restaurant opened at Topsy Lane. Walmart opened in Gardnerville.

Maverick gas station opened at the Minden Gateway and a tractor supply store is under design review. Douglas County continues to work with its local and regional partners to improve the business climate and spur economic vitality.

C OUNTY A WARDS C OMMUNITY C ENTER C ONTRACT

“T HE PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED WITH A RESPONSIBLE FINANCING PLAN .

S TANDARD AND P OOR ’ S GAVE THE C OUNTY AN A+ BOND RATING BASED ON ITS STRONG FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ABILITY TO REPAY DEBT .”

After a competitive selection process, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the contract award for construction of the new Community and Senior Center at Herbig Park to Core Construction and Tate Snyder Above: an exterior rendering of the new Community and Senior CenKinsey Architects. ter at Herbig Park. Below: the gymnasium and senior dining areas.

Construction on the 75,000 square foot public facility is planned to begin within the next few months and be complete by late 2014.

The project is being funded with a responsible financing plan, including a combination of general obligation bonds and available rebased on its strong financial to build a community center serves. The County received management practices and for youth, families and seniors an A+ bond rating from ability to repay debt. Douglas in the Carson Valley for Standard and Poor’s in 2012, County residents have sought nearly 40 years.

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C OUNTY E NDS FY11-12 (Continued from page 1)

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GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

2011-12 General Fund ex45,000,000 penditures were below Fiscal 40,000,000 Year 2008-09 levels and are 35,000,000 expected to remain level with 30,000,000 slow growth over the next 25,000,000 Budget three years, despite significant 20,000,000 Actual increased costs from the State 15,000,000 of Nevada of over $500,000.

10,000,000 County officials estimate an 5,000,000 approximate $1 million short‐ fall for FY13-14 and are FY5 FY6 FY7 FY8 FY9 FY10 FY11 FY12 working to avoid additional cost shifts from the State dur- General Fund expenditures have leveled off over the past four ing the 77th session of the years, due largely to position eliminations and salary reductions Legislature.

“T HE BUDGET VARIANCE OF 1.44% IS GENERALLY VIEWED AS VERY ACCURATE BUDGETING AND DILIGENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT .”

G ENOA V ISTA T RAIL O PENS TO THE P UBLIC ( CONT ) (Continued from page 1)

Once there, they have the opportunity to discover the rest of the Carson Valley,” said Greg Lynn, Redevelopment Agency Chairman.

“When you step into Genoa, you are stepping back in time to experience life as it was nearly a century ago. These investments will only enhance the historic Genoa experience for residents, visitors and

businesses,” Lynn said. The project was approved in 2011, with funding from the Douglas County Redevelopment Agency and a grant from Nevada State Lands, Question 1 Program, through The Nature Conservancy. The trail, which encompasses property owned by 1862 Walley’s Hot Springs Resort and Spa, The Nature Conservancy, United States Forest Service, Nevada Division of Transportation, and

Nearly 200 people head south on the 1.3 mile trail from Genoa to Walley’s Hot Springs after the grand opening

Ranch No. 1, was a high priority on the Town of Genoa’s strategic plan for a number of years before being incorporated into the Genoa Destination Project. Project approval was given in April of 2011. After obtaining easements from the various properties along the trail’s span, construction began in September 2012. The second part of the Genoa Destination Project, the Main Street Enhancement, is planned to begin construction soon. The Board of Commissioners approved the construction contract award to a local northern Nevada company on February 7th. The work is scheduled to be complete by the opening of Candy Dance in September 2013.

Local residents head north on the Genoa Vista Trail, which sits at the foot of the Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Douglas County Strategic Plan Vision A community to match the scenery!

D OUGLAS C OUNTY , N EVADA Thank you for taking the time to review the information in our newsletter. We value your opinion - if you have any questions or suggestions to improve the services and information we provide to you, please contact us.

Steve Mokrohisky Douglas County Manager

Mission Working together with integrity and accountability, the Douglas County team is dedicated to providing essential and cost-effective public services fostering a safe, healthy, scenic, and vibrant community for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors.

Values Integrity - Accountability - Customer Service - Leadership - Communication - Teamwork

County Manager’s Office 1594 Esmeralda Ave. PO Box 218 Minden, NV 89423

Priorities Financial Stability

Phone: 775-782-9821 Fax: 775-782-6255 E-mail: countymanager@co.douglas.nv.us

Public Safety Economic Vitality Infrastructure

WWW.DOUGLASCOUNTYNV.GOV

Natural Environment, Resources and Cultural Heritage Manage Growth and Change

F REQUENTLY A SKED Q UESTIONS Q: What is the State doing with the Consolidated Tax (C-Tax)?

A: The C-Tax includes sales tax, motor vehicle privilege tax, real property transfer tax, cigarette tax, and liquor tax that is collected at the State and allocated to local governments based on a formula mandated by State statute. An interim subcommittee of the Legislature recently studied the allocation of money distributed from the CTax to local governments. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting the work done by the interim subcommittee. The C-Tax represents approximately 26% of Douglas County’s General Fund revenue.

Q: What can the County do to address the number of accidents at hwy 395 and Airport Road?

A: Douglas County is working cooperatively with NDOT to improve safety at that intersection. Both hwy 395 and Airport Road are State roads, but we believe that there are options available through either realignment of the right turn lane onto Airport Road, signage or possibly a traffic signal.

Q: Why does one government agency pay fees for services to another government agency?

A: Many of the fees charged from one government agency to another are related to direct costs and specific services being provided by one agency to

another. Each of these agencies have their own elected governing bodies and separate purpose for collecting certain taxes and fees. All public agencies require that the cost of service be recovered for the taxpayers or ratepayers of the agency providing the service.

The recently updated public services and facilities element of the County’s Master Plan identifies approximately 38 separate taxing districts in Douglas County. We continue to work with local and regional agencies to establish partnerships, share services and reduce duplication. Consolidation of public service functions among various independent agencies will require support from local residents and taxpayers within the districts.