11/03/2022
IVGID Board of Trustee candidates share their opinions with the publication, “Moonshine Ink,” on what incorporating Incline Village and Crystal Bay into a city could mean. It’s an important moment for Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Here are each of the candidates responses.
There is discussion about incorporating Incline Village/Crystal Bay as a city. What do you see as the benefits and detriments to such an attempt?
David Noble: Incorporating Incline Village/Crystal Bay as a city allows for more local control of services to the community. However, until a thorough cost/benefit analysis is performed, I cannot provide an informed opinion as to whether incorporation makes sense from a cost perspective. For now, IVGID should stay focused on managing water/wastewater/trash services and all of the recreational facilities currently under its jurisdiction.
Raymond Tulloch: This proposal has potential to improve many of the concerns raised in the community through restoring local control and accountability for community specific issues rather than being dictated by Washoe County policies. This is particularly important to address community needs in areas such as planning, short-term rentals, tourism, building permits, economic development, and housing options, among others.
However, it is still unclear what form the city would take and what functions it would provide. We also need to minimize duplication of functions, overheads, and costs with IVGID to avoid unnecessary tax increases. The more detailed financial plans currently being developed should help the community better understand and make their own value decisions on the benefits as well as the impact on service levels and taxes from taking more local control.
For residents, it is critical that our rights and facility access, particularly the beach access deed, are preserved should this be approved. The IVGID board must ensure this is a key priority, as well as facilitate a seamless transition for residents and staff. My significant professional experience in successfully developing and implementing transition plans makes me uniquely qualified among the candidates in this area.
Yolanda Knaak: City of Incline benefits: Earlier this year, Washoe County commissioners voted to take away our elected constable. They did and his term ends Dec. 31. They are already planning a vote for this fall to eventually remove our judge and courthouse. They purchased the old elementary school and developed plans to put in a bus hub. Thousands of our residents opposed each of these, but it made no difference. Our taxes go to Reno and only a fraction are used to help our area. I have heard different numbers, but I believe it’s only 35% of our taxes that come back to us. The rest of our taxes are used in Reno. Another advantage to becoming a city will be that permits and other services can be obtained here in Incline Village. There will be a petition circulating first and then, if we get enough signatures, there will be a special election late next spring. For more updates or to volunteer, please go to cityofinclinevillage.com.
City of Incline detriments: If there is a problem in keeping the beach deed, then this endeavor will be dropped. I am not aware of any other detriments.
Gail Krolick: While the discussion of incorporating Incline Village and Crystal Bay has been discussed many times during my 31-year full-time residency in Incline Village, this discussion, in my opinion, has too many unknowns. The biggest concern I have is in regard to Incline Village’s private beaches. If there is any possibility of the beaches not remaining private, I am against Incline Village/Crystal Bay incorporation. If, however, beaches will remain private, I am open in reviewing this option. There are many unknowns, such as the cost, what we would control, etc. However, I do like the idea of our money remaining in our community.
The City of Incline Village is a movement to incorporate our own city for Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Use this site to learn more, get updates and volunteer to help.
