Questions and Answers -- Johnson Lane
What is a GID?
A GID is a General Improvement District. Douglas County Nevada Nevada
Here's how the Stagecoach GID describes it: "A GID is a political organization having purposes, powers, rights, privileges and immunities (as prescribed by Nevada Law) to serve a community (District) to promote the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants therein."
It is a political subdivision. Here's how the NAC 321.323 puts it:
NAC 321.323 “Local government” defined. (§ 2 of ch. 361, Stats. 1995, as amended by § 4 of ch. 25, Stats. 2001; § 3 of ch. 514, Stats. 1999, as amended by § 5 of ch. 25, Stats. 2001) “Local government” means any political subdivision of this State, including, without limitation:
1. Counties;
2. Incorporated cities and towns, including Carson City;
3. Unincorporated towns; and
4. General improvement districts and other districts.
What is the purpose and benefit of a GID?
Here's how the Stagecoach GID describes it: "A GID is a political organization having purposes, powers, rights, privileges and immunities (as prescribed by Nevada Law) to serve a community (District) to promote the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants therein."
It is a political subdivision. Here's how the NAC 321.323 puts it:
NAC 321.323 “Local government” defined. (§ 2 of ch. 361, Stats. 1995, as amended by § 4 of ch. 25, Stats. 2001; § 3 of ch. 514, Stats. 1999, as amended by § 5 of ch. 25, Stats. 2001) “Local government” means any political subdivision of this State, including, without limitation:
1. Counties;
2. Incorporated cities and towns, including Carson City;
3. Unincorporated towns; and
4. General improvement districts and other districts.
What is the purpose and benefit of a GID?
The purpose of a GID is to provide municipal-type services to an area which needs them, but which may not need or want the full range of services implied by incorporation. GIDs are most effectively used where it will be necessary to carry out ongoing operations and maintenance of a facility or service.
They are created for the "local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries." What makes them special is that they can provide focused services in focused areas. They deliver specific public services within defined boundaries. For example, a Johnson Lane GID could provide road maintenance exclusively in the Johnson Lane area. GIDs have four distinguishing characteristics.
* A form of government
* Have governing boards
* Provide services and facilities
* Have defined boundaries
What's so Special about Special Districts
They are created for the "local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries." What makes them special is that they can provide focused services in focused areas. They deliver specific public services within defined boundaries. For example, a Johnson Lane GID could provide road maintenance exclusively in the Johnson Lane area. GIDs have four distinguishing characteristics.
* A form of government
* Have governing boards
* Provide services and facilities
* Have defined boundaries
What's so Special about Special Districts
Why do we need one?
Douglas County Commission is exploring the creation of a county-wide GID to provide a tax area governing Douglas County
While it is not known what a county-wide GID would look like, it would service the entire county. The option we are petitioning the County Commissioners Johnson Lane
A few nearby GIDs include the Gardnerville Ranchos GID, Indian Hills GID, Sierra Estates GID, Kingsbury GID and others - into which an extra portion of their property taxes, above and beyond what we all pay to the county - is paid in to manage the provision of various services. Almost all of these GIDs handle neighborhood road repair and many also manage water, sewer, garbage pickup, drainage, snow removal, and the like.
None of our homes in the Johnson Lane Douglas County
The county formed a Roads Funding Task Force last year to address the chronic failure of the county to adequately fund its responsibility to maintain non-major roads, like the ones in our neighborhoods. The county used the findings of this task force to decide that it was no longer financially convenient to maintain our neighborhood roads with the tax money we currently pay. County staff is studying the feasibility of forming a "county-wide GID" that would sweep all neighborhoods like ours into a new taxing district. We would then start paying extra to this new GID to receive the road maintenance services that we are supposed to be receiving now.
One idea has been to form a Johnson Lane GID to gain local control of our road maintenance. If we're going to pay extra for road maintenance anyway, we should consider keeping the money under local control rather than hoping the county will allocate the general funds to take care of our streets.
The County does its best to take care of all of the roads in its jurisdiction. In doing so, it has to prioritize. Here's it's statement on the matter from its website:
What is the approach to manage our infrastructure now?
"When will my road be fixed?
All County road repairs are completed on a priority basis dependent on current maintenance budgets. "
http://www.douglascountynv.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=151
A Johnson Lane GID would use a priority approach, too, but residents could be assured that any street receiving priority road repairs would be in Johnson Lane. And residents would have an easier say in advocating what should be the highest priority streets and other areas--all within our Johnson Lane community.
All County road repairs are completed on a priority basis dependent on current maintenance budgets. "
http://www.douglascountynv.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=151
A Johnson Lane GID would use a priority approach, too, but residents could be assured that any street receiving priority road repairs would be in Johnson Lane. And residents would have an easier say in advocating what should be the highest priority streets and other areas--all within our Johnson Lane community.
How would it be run?
The GID would be headed by an elected Board of Trustees made up of our neighbors actually living in the area and having a vested interest in the decisions being made.
How would it be funded?
They are typically funded through ad valorem taxes, fees, special assessments, bonds, short-term notes, warrants and interim debentures, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and special assessment bonds. There may be other fees and grant funding.
How would it be funded?
They are typically funded through ad valorem taxes, fees, special assessments, bonds, short-term notes, warrants and interim debentures, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and special assessment bonds. There may be other fees and grant funding.
What facilities and services would it cover?
Nevada Revised Statutes 318.116 specifies seventeen services which a GID may provide. At this point, the following facilities and services are being considered to be included in a Johnson Lane Area GID petition.
1. Streets and alleys
2. Curbs, gutters, sidewalks and trails
3. Sidewalks only
4. Storm drainage;
5. Sanitary sewers
6. Street lighting (Public and Private)
7. Garbage and refuse collection and disposal
8. Recreation facilities
9. Water
10. Improvement Plans
11. Easements
12. Inspections and Testing
13. Parks, Open Space and Recreation
14. Annexation
15. Stormwater management
Would the JL residents be able to vote for or against this?
In the town hall meeting someone said the residents could vote for or against a GID. This is not the case. The County Commissioners have the authority to create a GID. They would likely call for community opinions, at least via public comment, but they do have the authority to create a GID, just as they had the authority to raise water and sewer rates.
Could the JL residents be in more than one GID?
In the town hall meeting someone said you can only be in one GID. This is not the case. Depending on which services you have--or don't have--you can be in multiple GIDs. For example, Gardnerville Ranchos GID residents can also be in the Mosquito Abatement District which is a Chapter 318 District. If the county commissioners were to set up a County-wide Road GID, then that GID would most likely cover residents outside of county GIDs. It would, though, also apply to residents in GIDs which don't provide road maintenance.
Would the proposed Johnson Lane Park expansion be included?
That would have to be determined.
What are the advantages of a GID?
What are the disadvantages of a GID?
If the County enacts a county-wide GID or Johnson Lane
What will it cost?
The cost of managing the GID will be the responsibility of homeowners in the service area. The amount of tax responsibility will be determined by the budget and the assessed value of each property. It is premature to estimate the effect of a GID on each property, but it will not be free. There would also be an increase in taxes as a result of any proposed county-wide GID being considered by Douglas County
The formation exploratory committee is requesting that the county, per NRS, research forming a GID. The committee can request the county research the comparative costs and benefits of the County forming a County-wide GID versus
What is the proposed area to be considered in the GID?
A map of the proposed area is available. It is tentative and may be altered if neighborhoods in the area elect to opt out.
The general area proposed for the Johnson Lane General Improvement District is comprised of the areas on or about the area north of Johnson Lane, east of the 395 Highway, north and south of Stephanie Way and Santa Barbara Dr., and west of and including the area of Romero drive and the Skyline Ranch Community. Inclusion of the North Fork Trails gated community would be determined. Certain areas south of Johnson Lane, would also be determined. They may be included depending on discussions with the County. Click on this map for a larger view.
What is the political status of a GID?
The general area proposed for the Johnson Lane General Improvement District is comprised of the areas on or about the area north of Johnson Lane, east of the 395 Highway, north and south of Stephanie Way and Santa Barbara Dr., and west of and including the area of Romero drive and the Skyline Ranch Community. Inclusion of the North Fork Trails gated community would be determined. Certain areas south of Johnson Lane, would also be determined. They may be included depending on discussions with the County. Click on this map for a larger view.
What is the political status of a GID?
It is considered a “Local government,” listed with other political subdivisions of the State, i.e.:
1. Counties;
2. Incorporated cities and towns, including Carson City
3. Unincorporated towns and
4. General improvement districts and other districts
What is the applicable law?
The overall law is found at:
The specific formation provisions are found at:
Have you talked with any of the other GIDs in the area?
Yes, with the new Clark County Water Reclamation District, with Sierra Estates GID, with Indian Hills GID, and the Ranchos at Gardnerville GID. We are trying to do our best due diligence in researching this option for our community.
What are some of the other GIDs or Chapter 318 Districts in the area?
* Indian Hills GID, http://indianhillsnevada.com/ihn/userpages/home.aspx* Gardnerville Ranchos GID, http://www.grgid.com/
Cave Rock Estates, http://caverockgid.org/
East Fork Fire District
Elk Point Sanitation
Incline Village GID (Washoe), https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/ivgid
Kingsbury GID, http://kgid.org/
Lakeridge GID, http://www.homeintahoe.com/lakeridge/
Logan Creek GID
Marla Bay GID
Minden/Gardnerville Sanitation
Mosquito Abatement District http://www.douglascountynv.gov/517/Mosquito-Abatement
Oliver Park GID
Round Hill General Improvement District, http://www.rhgid.org/
Sierra Estates GID
Skyland GID, http://skylandgid.com/
Tahoe Douglas Sewer
Topaz Ranch Estates GID
Zephyr Cove GID
Zephyr Heights GID
Zephyr Knolls GID
How many GIDs are there in the State of Nevada?
There are at least 84 GIDs in the State of Nevada. Douglas County has at least 21 NRS Chapter 318 GIDs. If you count the non-GID Chapter 38 districts, then you have 24, Chapter 38 districts in Douglas County.Who are the people looking into forming this GID?
Concerned neighbors and fellow homeowners in the Johnson Lane area. Some are listed below and others are welcome to join us. We were concerned around April of 2014 when the county proposed raising our water and sewer rates. Many of us didn't know each other then. We asked questions about why such high levels of increases were being pursued, knowing that some increases are sometimes inevitable. After hearing the responses, we were left with questions which caused some of us community members to start discussing whether we should explore forming a GID.
Where can we get more information about this?
What is the petition people have talked about?
According to NRS 318.055 "The formation of a district may be initiated by..." either a "resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners; or"...a "petition proposed by any owner of property to be located in the district." As property owners, we are advocating the second of the two available approaches.
Shouldn't we research this first further; aren't we moving to fast?
According to the longstanding "General Improvement Districts: Background paper "Neither of these actions creates a district but merely starts a process." (pdf page 6) Our objective, then, is to start this process. The petition doesn't create a GID but initiates a process which could lead to one or more hearings, a feasibility study and other actions and ultimately a GID. The goal of this process would be to work with the county to review the best way to get a focus and solid priority on our community's roads and other infrastructure.
You can also contact the formation exploration committee members at:
Jan Walls, jwalls1239@charter.net
Your comments and questions are welcome and helpful as we explore this alternative for our Johnson Lane community.
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