Property tax bills delayed by Legislature

Thousands of property tax bills have yet to be printed in Carson City and surrounding counties as treasurers wait like everyone else for the state Legislature to pass a tax bill.

The bills usually appear in mailboxes about this time each year, but without a final tax rate, cities and counties are unable to figure out just how much property owners owe.

"Until the Legislature really decides what they're going to do, we're going to postpone sending out bills for a while," Carson City Treasurer Al Kramer said.

Printing and sending the 20,000 bills that might later be incorrect, depending on a final decision by the state, could cost Carson up to $9,000 to resend.

Lyon and Douglas counties are also waiting, even though the delay could have an effect on county income.

"When the bills don't go out, then the cash flow is not coming in," said Lyon County Treasurer Nikki Bryan.

The state's portion of property tax changed from last year's rate of 15 cents per $100 in assessed valuation to 17 cents per $100, Kramer said. But as long as state lawmakers are in session, that could change.

Meanwhile, counties are receiving many calls from residents who wonder why they have yet to receive their bills. Kramer said he will wait until Aug. 1 or 2 to start talking with surrounding counties about what to do next if a decision has not been reached.

The deadline to pay tax bills will remain Aug. 19 per state statute, regardless of when counties send out the bills, Kramer said.

"Still, we try to give people as much time as we can," he said.