Local lawmakers are set to vote on resolutions aimed at extending a property tax levy that supports about a quarter of the Metropolitan Police Department’s commissioned officers for an additional three decades.
The Clark County Commission and the Las Vegas City Council have scheduled special meetings for Saturday and Monday, respectively.
Proposed Nevada Senate Bill 451, introduced in March, seeks to extend a tax of 20 cents levied on every $100 of assessed property value in the city or the unincorporated areas of the county.
This tax is currently set to expire in the summer of 2027, and if approved, the bill would extend it until 2057.
In addition to this proposed levy, a permanent tax of 8 cents for every $100 assessed—initially approved by voters in 1988—also contributes significantly to public safety funding, raising about $155 million annually which supports the salaries of more than 800 Metro officers, according to the city’s proposed resolution.
According to the Senate staff, the Metro property tax accounts for approximately $310 on a $3,100 tax bill for a home assessed at $500,000.
The reasoning behind scheduling special meetings to vote on this matter has not been explicitly clarified, but the Nevada Senate recently voted 17-4 to advance the bill to the assembly after local bodies had convened for their final meeting in April.
According to the city’s resolution, “No resident or business will pay more in property tax than they currently do as a result of the extension of the property tax levy.”
Metro officials emphasize that the funds generated have allowed the department to maintain a staffing level of two officers for every 1,000 residents.
A statement from the department noted, “Without these positions, we would see reduced staffing levels and response times,” stressing that extending the tax now enables better future budget planning.
The department added, “It is imperative to pass the funding now because public budgets are set a year in advance. If not passed then, the 2027 budget would have to take into account the loss of revenue.”
The proposal to extend the tax requires the approval of the Legislature with a two-thirds majority vote, as well as the endorsement from Governor Joe Lombardo and local government officials.
Lombardo’s office did not provide any comments regarding the bill on Friday.
Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas, introduced the bill, underscoring the budget planning concerns facing the Metro department.
Cannizzaro stated, “I believe that a failure to maintain this revenue stream is simply unacceptable as it would result in a reduction in force leading to fewer officers on the street and decreased response times in the community.”
During the same Senate Revenue and Economic Development committee meeting, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill expressed how crucial the tax is, indicating it funds roughly half of Metro’s patrol officers.
“You can imagine the absolute decimation that would have for us,” McMahill remarked, emphasizing the urgent need to pass the bill.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson also spoke in favor of the legislation at the meeting.
After the Senate vote, Sheriff McMahill expressed his gratitude toward Cannizzaro, stating, “This funding allows Metro to deliver the vital services our community has come to expect.”
He added, “Metro will continue to reduce crime, increase service, and inject humanity into all that we do.”
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