Genoa explores annexing neighboring parcels

Expanding Genoa's boundaries to increase its tax base is one of the town's top five goals, according to Town Manager Sheryl Gonzales.

It's also something that's likely to attract a lot of opposition from residents who live just outside of the town's boundaries.

Town Board member Greg Pace said his plan is to annex 112 parcels surrounding the town, including homes along Pioneer Trail and Meadowlark Lane on the east, Genoa Street on the west, and Centennial Drive to the north.

Pace said the town would have to balance the increased property tax revenue against the cost of providing services to the new Genoans.

Services would include grading the dirt roads and snow removal, but not much else.

"Their services would remain the same, but their taxes would go up about $100," Pace said. "The people living on these streets don't get much from the county."

Board member Karen Holmes said she didn't see why anyone would want to annex to the town.

"There's no benefit to anybody we would annex," she said. "I'm not in favor of spending money on something and not have it go through."

Former town board member Sue Knight told board members to prepare for a full house should they move forward with annexation.

"This room was packed with very angry people," she said of a prior effort to discuss expanding the town's boundaries.

Board member Jenn King said she felt there might be some people who wouldn't mind being annexed to the town.

"People feel a greater sense of community by being included," she said.

Those residents annexed in the town would also have an opportunity to vote and serve on the town board.

Property tax accounts for a tiny portion of the town's revenue, raising only $26,500 of a $500,000 operating budget.

The rest of the budget is raised by the annual Candy Dance fundraiser, rental on the town's hall and church, and other events through the year.

Two proposals to conduct research on annexation for a minimum of $4,675 were rejected by the town board due to cost.

Instead, board members voted to ask the county comptroller's office to find out how much in assessed valuation the parcels proposed for annexation would raise before going forward.

It has been four years since the last time Genoans talked about annexation. That effort included adding a far larger area along the base of the Sierra, including Eagle Ridge and the former Sierra Creek Ranch on either side of Jacks Valley Road, and property east of the Carson River. Because Genoa Lakes is in Douglas County's redevelopment district, it was not under consideration for annexation.

Annexation was included in the town's 2009-10 work plan, which included burying power lines and a walking path along Foothill Road and an economic development citizen's committee.

A fifth goal, the Carson Street drainage improvements, may be completed in October.

Called the longest running public works project in Nevada's oldest settlement, it could be finished by Nevada Day.

Gonzales said the Carson Street drainage project was approved by the county and was ready to go to bid.

Work should start after Candy Dance Sept. 25 and 26, and will take three weeks.

The project, which takes flood waters from Genoa Creek around Carson Street, has been in the works for years.

The town even managed to get stimulus funds to help pay for it, but rejected them because of the paperwork and management involved.