Ever hopeful that the half-cent Public Safety Sales Tax, which would be used to fund additional law enforcement and fire department personnel, will see the light of day, the Pahrump Town Board board passed a resolution formally requesting that the Board of County Commissioners enact an ordinance establishing the tax at its regularly scheduled meeting last Tuesday.

The tax was approved by Nye County voters in November's general election by 16 votes, only to be voted down by the state legislature.

It was later approved as an addendum to Assembly Bill 461, and now has only to be approved by the county commission to be enacted. The county commissioners have not placed the tax on their agenda for their next meeting.

However, Commissioner Butch Borasky addressed the board and informed them that he has "strongly supported this since day one."

Chairman Laurayne Murray reminded the audience that the funding received from the tax would not only benefit the residents of Pahrump, but to everyone in the county.

The board also took time during the meeting to read a letter of appreciation to Nevada Elect lobbyists Laura Billman and Patti Chipman for their work and dedication in helping to get the sales tax ultimately passed.

"We recognize the extraordinary hours and work that you dedicated to making sure that this important piece of legislation was enacted to provide the opportunity for the elected officials of Nye County and Pahrump to deliver improved public health and safety services to all of our Nye County residents," Murray read.

The chairman also took the opportunity to thank the board members, staff, and public citizens who contributed their time and effort in helping the legislation to pass.

Fire Chief Scott Lewis also expressed his gratitude to the lobbyists.

"(Billman and Chipman) overturned every stone and rock possible to get it to this point, and I can't thank them enough in respect to the fire department," Lewis said.