Nevada Residents to Vote on Libraries and Higher Education

Nevada is posing seven state-wide ballot questions for the 2024 elections, one of these questions may have ramifications for the construction industry.

Question One would remove the Board of Regents as the governing body of Nevada State Higher Education. Currently, the Board is protected by the Nevada State Constitution.

According to an article by the Reno Gazette Journal, the question would also establish independent audits of NSHE. The intent of this change is to diversify the boards in control of various colleges and universities.

The Board of Regents currently reviews and approves projects designed for institutions in the NHSE.

Washoe County Library Funding

In addition to statewide measures, residents in Washoe County will also vote on the continuation of an existing tax that funds libraries.

If denied, libraries in Washoe County will begin to receive funds from the County’s general fund. Funding for libraries is expected to be reduced by a quarter of the current budget.

The tax provides the Washoe County Library System with two cents for every $100 in assessed property value.

Approval of the tax will be used to construct a new library in the North Valleys neighborhood, renovations to current libraries and an expansion of book catalogs.

Opponents have argued that the County Commission should determine library funding. Another argument was made that libraries should seek more donations. 

If denied, the tax won’t go away; it will be redirected toward the general fund.

The tax was originally introduced as a “library expansion fund” in 1994. It has been used to support staff/services and build new libraries.

Revenue received from the tax was used to fund the construction of the Northwest Reno, South Valleys, Incline Village and Spanish Springs libraries. The tax also funded renovations for libraries within Sparks and downtown Reno.