IN BRIEF

TAX REFERENDUM

Washoe County voters to get room tax plan

Voters in Washoe County will be asked in November whether state lawmakers should impose a 3 percent room tax to fund education.

County commissioners approved the advisory question for the ballot on Tuesday, as well as two others pertaining to local transportation funding.

The room tax proposal was touted as a compromise between the state's teachers union and three big Las Vegas casino companies.

If approved by voters, the room tax proposal will be decided by legislators who meet in February.

Washoe County residents also will vote on a binding measure to increase the sales tax rate one-eighth of a percent for public transportation.

RENO TAX PROPOSALS

Council won't seek voter OK on sales tax

The Reno City Council has decided not to seek voter approval to raise the sales tax to fund repairs at city pools and finance other recreation projects.

Council members expressed concerns about competing tax proposals and whether state lawmakers would allow the increase.

Instead, council members say the city will explore other options and ways to finance bond sales without a sales tax increase of one-eighth of a cent.

The council also wants more information on developing community partnerships for future projects such as tennis courts, swimming pools and athletic fields.

NEW READING ROOM

Restitution ordered in Denver library thefts

A man accused of checking out hundreds of books and DVDs from libraries around the Denver area and then trying to sell them will be doing all his library borrowing from now on behind bars.

Denver prosecutors say 34-year-old Thomas Pilaar was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered Tuesday to pay $53,549 in restitution. He pleaded guilty in May.

Of an estimated 1,400 books and DVDs that were taken, about 500 have been recovered.

Denver Public Library estimated it had lost $35,000, while Douglas County said it had $11,000 worth of overdue items.