Business tax topic at two meetings

Two public meetings will be held Tuesday to discuss a business license tax, a proposal designed to shore up Douglas County's sagging revenue streams.

A development group made up of business representatives has worked with county staff to develop a fee structure. The framework to be discussed at four community meetings is designed to provide public input, two in Carson Valley and two at Lake Tahoe.

The Carson Valley meetings start Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the CVIC Hall, 1602 Esmeralda St. in downtown Minden.

The Lake Tahoe meetings are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursday in room 169 at the LTVA Building, Highway 50 in Stateline.

County officials are considering the tax following drops in numerous tax revenue streams, everything from sales and room taxes to home sales.

For example, taxable sales dropped 6.5 percent in Douglas County when compared to the previous year in June of this year, the most recent figures available from the Nevada Department of Taxation.

Most Nevada counties have a business license fee that provide a revenue stream. Communities use a number of formulas for determining the cost of that license. A businesses' square footage, or the number of employees could be used in the formula for determining that rate, according to information from county officials.

Annual revenues generated from a flat-rate business license fee would be an estimated $600,000 to $700,000, county officials said.

• Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.

What: Public meetings to address proposed business license fee in Douglas County

When: 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where: CVIC Hall, 1602 Esmeralda Ave., Minden