Dear Incline Village & Crystal Bay Property Owners,

For those of you who have been following the ongoing saga of the Tax Revolt, here is the latest. On August 16th, we were scheduled to present before the State Board of Equalization our remaining 2006-2007 cases and some of the 2007-2008 cases with the remainder of the approximately one thousand 2007-2008 cases being heard on August 17th.

The Board approved settlements for 8 of the remaining 2006-2007 cases. The other 22 remaining 2006-2007 cases were not heard because the hearing notice was determined to be inadequate.

The Board also confirmed June 27 as the date that prior settlements were approved and finalized. That date is important because the Department of Taxation is required to issue a Written Decision within 60 days of the Board approval. The County has stated that it will not issue refunds until it receives the Written Decision.

That Written Decision should be issued by August 27. We’ll have to see how fast the refunds are made after that. Needless to say, the County Treasurer, the County Assessor, the County Commissioners, the County Manager (Katy Singlaub) and District Attorney Gammick are not eager for that event to take place.

To refresh your memories, in addition to the 300 Petitioners in 2006, the Village League had won a victory for all of the remaining 8700 residential property owners in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, which mirrored the victory that we won for those who had actually filed their Petitions. Of course, the Assessor always Appeals any of our victories, so that HUGE case is now before the Nevada Supreme Court, awaiting a decision.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 2007-2008 CASES?

After a thorough discussion of the wording of the Notice sent to all of you and the Agenda posted by the Department of Taxation on its website and elsewhere to provide public notice, the Board determined that there was a potential for an Open Meeting Law violation. The decision was made to cancel the hearings scheduled on the 2007-2008 cases and re-notice and re-agendize those cases for hearing on September 13th and 14th.

The continuance of the hearings could not be avoided in light of the potential Open Meeting Law violation. Re-scheduling the hearings for September 13 and 14, however, gives the Nevada Supreme Court three additional weeks during which to make a decision on our two incredibly important cases that are now awaiting rulings.

NOW WHAT?

The State Board members were adamant that our attorneys and the Assessor attempt to come to an agreement as to a settlement of the 2007-2008 cases before the next scheduled hearing. Whether this is possible or not is anyone’s guess. There is no doubt that the Assessor and Washoe County desperately want to send out supplemental higher tax bills to all 1000 of you who received tax reductions due to the Village League’s victory before the County Board of Equalization last February.

My apologies that this Alert is somewhat technical; however, much of the work that we are currently doing IS technical and “behind the scenes”. Don’t think for a moment that we are resting on our laurels - far from it - as this part of the battle is probably the most difficult of all. Long days and much frustration.

NEVADA SUPREME COURT

We are so hopeful that the Supreme Court will issue favorable rulings on our two HUGE cases that are presently before them. All decisions are released on Thursdays, so think good thoughts for us every Thursday!! We need all the mental strength that you can bring to bear.

Sincerely,