Elko County Commissioners are considering taxing all residents in the county to pay for Wildland Fire Protection Plan fees, but at least temporarily they will act on a recommended 3.25-cent tax increase for those living in the Elko County Fire Protection District.
“The problem is this is a fee that should be borne by all Elko County residents,” said Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi.
“I really agree with what Delmo said. It’s a state mandate,” said Commissioner Rex Steninger. “There is no reason the tax be paid only by people in the unincorporated areas.” Commissioners decided to look at tax options that require all county property owners to pay because the Wildland Fire Protection Plan fees are costly and going up.
The fire district has agreed to pay $800,000 in the 2021-2022 fiscal year for the wildland plan that helps in the battle against range fires, but the district only agreed to pay $600,000 for the current fiscal year.