Budget Watch Nevada

I knew I shouldn’t have done it. But I did anyway. I opened up the property tax bill that arrived in yesterday’s mail.

My doctor warned me to avoid stressful situations like this. I knew it was going to be ugly, and blood pressure-raising, but I just HAD to see it – kinda like driving past a bad traffic accident: you know you should keep your eyes on the road ahead, but instinct pulls your gaze towards the gore.

For those of us who pay property taxes with our mortgage payment through an escrow/impound account, you don’t notice it too much (similar to the evil genius of withholding federal income taxes on your paycheck). But when you see it all at once, you can’t help but wonder where the hell it all goes, and who, exactly, are the beneficiaries of my involuntary generosity.

My annual tax bill is $3,751.12 for July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008. The largest portion of that goes to . . . yep, you guessed it, secondary education. In this case: $1670.96 between “County School Maintenance & Operation” and “County School Debt (Bonds).” The worst part about this is that I DON’T HAVE ANY CHILDREN, so I am paying for my neighbor’s spawn to go underachieve in a dysfunctional, mismanaged, under-performing school. That makes me so happy! Another $217.93 of the property tax bill is distributed to the “State of Nevada,” which is returned in large part to the Clark County School District (about 30% of state funds are used for education), so now we’re up to about $1,900.00.

But wait, weren’t the vampires and unionistas in the legislature recently yammering about all the money they were spending on education in the 7 BILLION DOLLAR state budget? Yes, but that’s state money. This is local, county money. Huh?

Next on the list of INVOLUNTARY hand-outs is “Clark County General Operating” at $560.24. There’s no telling where that’s spent. If it was for roads improvement, that might be OK, but don’t we already pay for that through taxes on gasoline? And through the ballooning state budget?

Next: “LVMPD Manpower Supplement County.” I love how vague these people are. It’s something for police or police bureaucracy; who knows what “manpower supplement” is? Since I haven’t called the cops for help in the 10 years I’ve been here, yet I pay over $300 a year for this “supplement,” I don’t feel I’m getting my money’s worth. Oh, maybe it’s to pay for that motorcycle cop with the radar gun writing tickets on South Durango Drive, where a nonsensical 25 MPH speed limit is posted.

Moving on: $281.66 for “Clark County Fire Service District.” Again, I’ve never called the fire department for help in Las Vegas, or anywhere I’ve lived for that matter. Here’s an idea: if I burn my house down, send my insurance company the bill for your service. Or if I need a paramedic because I hurt myself, send me a bill. But don’t send my neighbor a bill for my problems!

Next freedom-robbing item: “Enterprise Town.” Do you know which town/township you live in? I’m guessing most people don’t. There’s Paradise Valley, and Spring Valley, and a bunch of others, but I don’t know what we’re funding with this tax. Perhaps it’s the salaries of our corrupt county commissioners.

Next is the aforementioned “State of Nevada.” The state receives the vast share of its booty, I mean revenues, from Sales & Use Taxes, Gaming Taxes, Insurance Premium Tax, and the unconstitutional Modified Business Tax. Why they need to stick it to homeowners and tenants through property taxes, I’m not sure.

You’re probably starting to tune out by now, with that glazed-over look in your eyes, so I’ll break for now and pick up where we left off in Property Taxes - Part II. I’ll bet you can’t wait! Tune in tomorrow, when we’ll talk about indigents and libraries . . . uggh!