Federal payments coming to Nevada

RENO -- A record $23 million-plus in federal payments is heading to Nevada counties this year to help offset losses in property taxes for nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said his legislation ensures that the payment in lieu of taxes program will be fully funded every year through 2012.

Counties rely on the money for essential services and improvements because the federal government controls more than 87 percent of Nevada's land, making it nontaxable.

"I am committed to making sure Nevada gets its fair share," Reid said in a statement. "For too long, PILT did not receive the funding it should have, and many rural counties suffered because of that."

The state's two most populous counties, Clark and Washoe, and Elko County each will get about $3.1 million in payments, the most in Nevada.

Nye County follows with $2.8 million, while Churchill and Lyon counties each will get about $2 million. Douglas County receives $607,532 and Carson City $115,700.

Obtaining full funding to offset property tax losses for nontaxable federal lands has been a top priority of the Nevada Association of Counties for many years, said its executive director, Jeff Fontaine.

"The vast expanses of public lands in Nevada sharply limit county property tax revenues and create demands for public safety, public health and natural disaster response," Fontaine said.

Payment levels were announced Thursday for about 1,850 counties and other local jurisdictions across the United States.