ELECTION SEASON is here and the issue of whether to hire a full-time professional administrator for the county is heating up.
The reason the county administrator issue is before voters is because the area business community believes Lyon County taxes are too high and its members want taxes reduced.
The facts are this: Our tax burden has increased 59 percent in the last six years and our county has the one of the highest mill levies among counties with a first-class city. High taxes chase away residents, jobs and businesses and hamper our community’s growth.
Supporters of the proposal for a full-time professional administrator think that an administrator would be able to streamline county government by looking at opportunities for consolidation of services. Consolidation efforts could reduce budgets, save money and thus reduce taxes. Also, an administrator would provide management continuity at the courthouse as elected officials come and go.
The community discussions about our taxes and county management issues have been good. But of all the people who have offered opinions on the issue, I was curious to know what Lyon County resident Bobbie Agler thinks. Agler, a former CPA, is a paid consultant to Lyon County commissioners on budget issues and has studied the county budget at great length.
Agler told me he feels the administrator is important and can make a difference in our community. Stronger leadership could help save our community money.
Our whole community should have the same goal — to have the lowest taxes in the state.
It is unfortunate that we are not debating multiple solutions to reduce our taxes. Of those who don’t support the issue, I would be curious to know what their answer is to reduce our taxes.
Doing nothing does not help our community. But voting “Yes” for the county administrator can be the first step to reducing our community’s taxes and putting dollars back in our pockets.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher