CHRISTINA EICHELKRAUT / PVT A standing-room-only crowd greeted the members of the Incorporation Advisory Board as it opened discussion of the controversial measure. Advertisement

The first "town hall" style meeting to inform residents about incorporation left standing room only in the Chamber of Commerce seating area Wednesday, May 21, proving that after three previously failed attempts, "the I-word" is still a hot topic in town.

The meeting, featuring informative brochures and a PowerPoint presentation covering frequently asked questions, budget projections and possible forms of government, was the first of six scheduled meetings to help Pahrumpians learn more about incorporation, ask questions and give their input.

The attendees had plenty of both input and questions for Al Balloqui, a member of the Incorporation Advisory Board who made the first presentation.

"I'm not here advocating incorporation," Balloqui said. "We're here to talk about and get your concerns and then see what we can do."

Darryl Lackey, candidate for the county commission, wanted to know how incorporation would affect people whose property values were decreasing and associated taxation.

"Incorporation really would not have any effect on that," Balloqui said. "That would still be the county because the county would still take the taxes, and it would go through the tax equalization board."

"We don't have public utilities now," Don Rust, town board member, pointed out.

That didn't console 56-year resident Bill Dawson, however, who remained skeptical.

"I think people should think about what happened to Eastland Heights and all the places around Las Vegas and are still not in the city," Dawson said. "We have voted not to incorporate three times now."

"The community changes," Balloqui responded. "I think a periodic evaluation is good for the community. Not necessarily that we should incorporate, but a period check is all we need to do, to decide to go forward or go back."

Dawson also said he was worried that "the same people are involved" in this incorporation as previous efforts.

It was quickly pointed out to Dawson, however, that in fact only one person on this advisory board, Allan Parker, had been involved in previous incorporation efforts.

"You're talking about unrestricted growth," resident Cammy Brunold said in the midst of the discussion. "I don't want to see Pahrump turn into Vegas where Vegas is trying to steal water from us. How are we going to know that they're going to put a cap on growth if the town is incorporated? And what's to say that a gas station isn't going to come up across from my parents' house, which is zoned for residential? And what's to say our taxes aren't going to go up for a police force, this, that and the other thing? I don't see any improvement in our education, I don't see any improvement in our roads."

"All of the problems that you just rattled off are what we have now," Balloqui answered. "So if you keep doing what you've been doing, you're going to keep getting what you've been getting. So maybe it's time to look at some alternatives."

One woman, from Bollingbrook, Ill., pointed out incorporation brought more efficient services to the city because the government was generally founded by and made up of people already familiar with the town.

Another question was: What would happen to the Regional Planning Commission?

Balloqui answered there would be two options available should the town become a city.

Pahrump could enter into an interlocal agreement with the current RPC or it could form its own RPC (or planning commission) under the purview of an elected city council.

"Right now the town does not have that much power with these developmental agreements and everything that's going on," realty agent Paula Glidden said. "It's mostly the county that decides that through the Regional Planning Commission and the county commission, so the town doesn't have a lot to say at that table, whereas they would if we were incorporated."

The information derived from these meetings will be included in a feasibility study being put together by the incorporation advisory board that will be presented to the town board in July for consideration.