Gas tax extension OK'd

Carson City supervisors voted Thursday to extend the city's 5-cent gas tax for an undetermined amount of time past its original sunset date of 2012.

The $23 million already generated by the gas tax helped to fund Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway extension, the first half of a $330 million project by the Nevada Department of Transportation.

The city agreed in August to contribute $15 million more in funding to Phase 2 of the freeway extension, scheduled for completion in 2010.

Supervisors agreed the extension, that will generate about $1.7 million a year, is necessary and fair.

"We are not the only ones to do this," Supervisor Robin Williamson said. "Other jurisdictions do it. This is how you get on the list for projects. You contribute local funds."

The city collects 9 cents for each gallon of gas sold within its limits, including the 5-cent tax for the freeway and 4 cents for regional transportation construction projects.

- Robyn Moormeister