Settlement Approved
ALERT: #315
DATE: April 7, 2021
FROM: Village League Tax Revolt Committee
TO: Incline Village & Crystal Bay Property Owners
Dear Incline Village & Crystal Bay Property Owners,
Today Judge Drakulich issued an order ending the legal fight! Her order makes the settlement agreement negotiated at the Supreme Court between IV/CB taxpayers and Washoe County into law. The service of justice by Judge Drakulich was an epitome of judicial excellence for which we should all be grateful.
Many of us well remember Maryanne Ingemanson and Ted Harris, garbed in colonial dress, kicking off our tax revolt as they toppled a barrel of “tea” into Lake Tahoe at Burnt Cedar Beach. 17 years later, we have now fought and ended our legal battle with the County and State to reverse unlawful property tax assessments after a dozen lawsuits and no fewer than four trips to Nevada’s Supreme Court. Those lawsuits will now all be dismissed and there will be no more appeals.
Here is the final order in this saga, which includes the entire 44 page settlement agreement.
Village League_FInal Order with Exhibit
While this round of refunds amounts to roughly fifty million dollars, all told, some one hundred million dollars will ultimately be returned to taxpayers on account of the unlawfully collected excess taxes.
Fortunately, despite what anyone might have conjured, the County is in good financial shape and will remain so throughout the refund payment period, and the settlement agreement serves the best interests of all parties.
There is still much work ahead to ensure refunds are delivered. The Court will oversee the entire process while the Village League supports and audits compliance with the agreement. Our Treasurer has been working hard and by now every parcel owner from the 2003 to 2006 period should have received notice of their refund eligibility. Anyone not receiving a notice needs to contact the Treasurer directly. Actual payments are scheduled to commence July 1st.
This landmark milestone shows how we can hold government accountable and compliant with the law. We realized this success only through your support, your contributions, our stellar legal team, and our new assessor and county manager, bolstered by a more prudent board of County commissioners. Let’s celebrate the conclusion of this tremendous chapter of citizen advocacy and, in the end, government collaboration.
| Village League to Save Incline Assets Board Members: -Todd Lowe, President Village League to Save Incline Assets, Inc. # # # |