Senator passed landmark legislation, providing counties with important boost

June 11, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada counties will receive this year more than $23 million in federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments – a record-high funding level. This record level of funding is made possible through legislation crafted and passed by Nevada Senator Harry Reid. The Department of the Interior announced today the funding levels for the current year.

Last year, Reid delivered on a promise to Nevada’s rural counties that he would lead Congress to fully fund the PILT program. Reid’s legislation makes sure that the PILT program will be fully funded every year through 2012. As the federal government owns more than 87 percent of Nevada’s land – making it non-taxable – counties rely on PILT money for essential services and improvements.

“I am committed to making sure Nevada gets its fair share,” Reid said. “For too long, PILT did not receive the funding it should have, and many rural Nevada’s counties suffered because of that. Despite the opposition we faced to right this wrong, last year we did just that and we are seeing the benefits today.”

“The vast expanses of public lands in Nevada sharply limit county property tax revenues and create demands for public safety, public health and natural-disaster response,” said Jeff Fontaine, Executive Director of the Nevada Association of Counties. “Obtaining full funding for PILT, which is crucial for providing essential services, has been a top priority of the Nevada Association of Counties for many years. Through Senator Reid’s leadership and commitment, Nevada’s counties, after more than 30 years, will receive the fully authorized amount of payment-in-lieu-of-taxes through 2012.”
 

Following is a breakdown of funding by county:

Carson City      $115,700

Churchill          $2,062,250

Clark                $3,171,990

Douglas            $607,532

Elko                  $3,115,992

Esmeralda        $110,630

Eureka              $248,162

Humboldt         $1,641,060

Lander              $795,900

Lincoln             $757,538

Lyon                 $2,045,405

Mineral             $736,665

Nye                  $2,896,639

Pershing           $894,360

Storey              $34,389

Washoe            $3,179,737

White Pine       $1,093,950