BOULDER CITY QUESTIONS

Boulder City residents should expect to spend a little extra time in the voting booth on Election Day, when they will be asked to weigh in on 11 different ballot questions.

But one question has received the lion's share of attention, thanks to a city lawsuit seeking to block it from the ballot.

If approved, Question 11 would bar the city from owning more than one golf course, a change that could force the city to close or unload one of its two existing courses.

The newer of those, Boulder Creek Golf Club, has lost millions of dollars and drawn criticism since it opened in January 2003.

The city sued earlier this year to block Question 11 on the grounds that it would overstep the administrative authority of city officials. A Clark County district judge has since ruled that the measure should remain on the ballot.

Two other ballot questions also concern Boulder Creek. Question 2 seeks voter permission to sell off 45 acres of city-owned land adjacent to the golf course for residential development. Question 6 would clear the city to sell 30 acres between the golf course and the Boulder City Airport for commercial development.

The bulk of proceeds from each sale would be used to pay down debt associated with the golf course.

Voters rejected similar land sale proposals in 2004 and 2005.

Under Boulder City's strict growth control ordinance, voters must approve the sale of an acre or more of city-owned land. The ordinance also restricts the number of new homes built each year.

The developed portion of the community covers about 5 square miles, but the city also owns 200 square miles of mostly empty desert in Eldorado Valley. That makes Boulder City the largest incorporated city in Nevada and one of the 50 largest cities in the nation in terms of land area.

Question 9 would place even more authority directly in the hands of residents. If approved, the measure would require voter approval before the city takes on any new debt of $1 million or more.

Voters also will be asked to voice their opinions on other, less meaty subjects.

Question 1 asks whether to spend $500,000 from the city's capital fund on new police and fire vehicles.

Under Question 3, land annexed by the city in 2008 would be added to the city charter.

Question 4 would amend the charter to reflect state law governing term limits, and Question 10 would add new 12-year term limits for members of all appointed boards, committees and commissions.

Question 5 would prohibit votes on expenditures from the city's capital improvement fund during a primary election.

Question 7 concerns opening the Eldorado Valley, south of the city, for wind energy development.

Question 8 would change the city attorney from an appointed position to an elected one. If approved, the change would come up for a final vote during the June 2011 municipal election.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.