Fernley residents were in Carson City, Wednesday, asking the state to increase their share of Nevada's Consolidated Taxes, or C-Taxes. That is tax money that cities get from the state on a per resident basis. But Fernley has a unique situation. They were not incorporated as a city until 2001, four years after the C-Tax was implemented. So they have been left out and only get a fraction of what other cities get. For instance, Elko gets $645 per person, from the state, and Mesquite gets $419 per resident. Fernley only gets $7 per citizen. Other cities receive several millions of dollars, making up about half of their city budgets. But with 19,000 residents, Fernley only gets $144,000.
"When you get 1/100 of 1% of the state distribution and yet you're the 7th largest city in the state of Nevada, it just doesn't make sense," LeRoy Goodman, Vice Chairman of the Fernley Fair Share Committee and former Fernley mayor said.
"It's not fair and you can't use any other example because no other city has incorporated since the C-Tax was implemented," Kelly Brye, Vice President of the Fernley Chamber of Commerce said. "So, it's going to require some concessions by other cities, counties, and the state, ultimately, for it to happen."
Fernley was incorporated 14 years ago, and since then, the city has tripled in size, while struggling to maintain its infrastructure, provide recreation and public safety.
"We just do the best we can but we need additional ball fields, we have roads that need to be repaired," Roy Edgington, Fernley Mayor said. "How do you come up with millions of dollars for something, fire, police, or whatever and not have any money without a C-Tax?"
The city has 19 road projects on the books but they have only been able to repair three of them. That's why they have taken their concerns to the legislature. They believe their slice of the pie should be at least $400 per person, adding $7.6 million and doubling the city budget.
"We need to be able to improve our city and make it the wonderful city that it could be and should be," Pat Spracklin, Fernley resident said.
As the industrial and commercial sectors grow in northern Nevada, some fear that Fernley is falling behind and could lose out on new business.
"If we can't show them and provide them the infrastructure and the community that they need, that's attractive, that makes them want to say 'Yes, we're going to Fernley. We're going to northern Nevada,' then that land sits vacant and empty," Brye said.
Without these funds, Fernley often relies on commercial donations and community volunteers. Public safety has also been an issue. Their newest fire engines are 13 years old. The used equipment was recently given to them by the City of Las Vegas.
