Improving streets for another five years

At one time the streets in Nevada were horrible. There were many chuck holes, causing damage to the cars, and there were a great number of complaints. While there are always constant complainers, there has been a big change in recent years with the street improvements that have occurred.

Many people living in Nevada and also outside of the city limits have been well pleased with the streets and have commented about the good streets that exist. Recently, I was with a guest from Colorado.

We were in the down town area and he commented about how good things look in Nevada. I did explain that we had just celebrated Bushwhacker Days and a special effort was made to groom the downtown area including painting parking areas and other street markings.

It was looking good.

Most of us take for granted that we are getting better streets and do not fully appreciate what has been done. Still, there are many more streets that are yet to be improved. More citizens are now getting involved with suggestions of what streets need improvement.

It does not seem like it has been 10 years since the voters voted a 1/2 cent tax for street improvement for five years. Later, this was extended for another five years, which will end Dec. 31, 2006.

Instead of contracting all of the work out for the improvement of the streets, much is done by city crews, which prevent having to pay prevailing wages. The work was not done this way at first. Once the city crews started doing what they can, it have enabled more blocks to be improved for the money ˆ making better use of the tax money.

Once the streets that are to be improved for the year has been approved by the council, the city crews start working on them as soon as the weather permits.

When they complete what they can do with all of the improvements for the year, then the contract work begins, including paving and it is done within a few days. This is made possible by the city crews having completed most of the work (without it costing the tax payers prevailing wages).

One person has complained that a portion of South Spring Street has been torn up for some time and needs to be completed.

Each year, several weeks go by before some street improvements are completed During that time, it seems that the workers have been there for ever. Once completed, it does not seem as long, when you look back.

On South Spring Street, progress is taking place. This week the preparation for the curbing is taking place. The contractor is in town starting to curb the streets needing new curbs. Soon the curbing will be completed and the paving will follow. This will result in a nice smooth street. Hooray!

For these first 10 years, $400,000 was allocated out of the funds that the tax provided for the street improvements. Two things have happened; there has been a rising cost for materials including the oil in the asphalt and the cost of concrete and the revenue from the taxes have risen.

Due to the additional revenue and the rising costs of materials and labor, the city council has increased the allotted funds to $500,000 per year for the next five years if the voters approve the sales tax renewal. This will mean that 25 percent more streets can be improved compared to the current funds being received.

The past 10 years, 305 blocks have been improved with pavement overlay projects and the construction of new curb and gutter. These improvements have cost more than $2.7 million, plus an additional 17 blocks are being completed this year.

One of the results of having better streets is that the residents have taken pride and have improved their property. A benefit of having improved streets is that the value of the property has gone up, estimated at $1,500.

Many citizens consider sales taxes to be more fair than property taxes. Sales taxes spread the cost from only the residence of the city to others who also use the streets. One citizen commented that he does not live in town, but if he did, he would vote in favor of the tax. He expressed that it is a good investment.

To continue the improvement of the streets in the City of Nevada, the renewal of the 1/2-cent sales tax will be placed on the Aug. 8 ballot. Remember, this is not a new tax, but a continuation of the existing 1/2-cent tax that has been in place for the last 10 years.

We are fortunate to live in a democracy where we have an opportunity to vote on issues and candidates.

In Iraq a large portion of their registered voters went to the polls to vote, even with their lives being in danger. We have freedom and need to honor this freedom by performing our citizenship responsibility.

Be sure to vote your choice on Aug. 8. It is the right thing to do.