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Neighborhood associations, sports leagues, and the general public often request more parks, trails and ball fields to meet rising demand due to rising populations. Dense development increases the demand for places to play and enjoy nature closer to home and Clark County recognizes this need.
Over the years, Clark County has wisely been acquiring land when it's available for future parks - before residential or commercial developments are built. In addition, approximately $12 million has been acquired through Park Impact Fees and the Real Estate Excise Tax to help fund design and construction of new parks on that property. However, this money couldn't be spent until additional funding for long-term maintenance of these new parks was provided.
Maintenance and operations funding does not come from Park Impact Fees or the Real Estate Excise Tax. With increasing competition for county general fund money, another source of funding was needed. A metropolitan parks district can provide that funding, and many cities and counties have turned to these special districts to fill this growing need.
In 2005, Clark County voters in the unincorporated urban area passed Proposition 1, which created a metropolitan parks district known officially as the Greater Clark Parks District. This special parks district raised property taxes by 27 cents per $1,000 assessed value within the unincorporated urban urea, which will be used to pay for maintenance and operations of new parks.
The first property tax collection occurred in spring 2006.
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