Voter Turnout Heavy in Balloting on New City at Stateline, Nev.

Voter turnout was heavy in several resort communities in balloting Tuesday on whether to form the city of Lake Tahoe, a move opposed by casinos but favored by residents demanding more for their taxes.

The proposed city, with a population of about 6,500, would embrace the casino area of Stateline and other smaller communities along about 15 miles of Lake Tahoe’s southeastern shore.

Voter registration in the area had jumped 20% in the month prior to the election, and Douglas County Clerk Barbara Reed predicted a turnout as high as 60% of the nearly 3,000 people eligible to cast ballots.

“There have been really intense campaigns on both sides,” Reed said.

If the plan is approved, another election will be held to organize the government.

The new city, which would embrace such communities as Glenbrook, Zephyr Cove, Round Hill, Cave Rock and Marla Bay, could not begin operating before July 1, 1989.

Proponents of the new city said the lake-shore communities have nearly 25% of the county’s population while contributing 60% of the tax revenue. They said they do not receive a proportionate share in services.

“We want to keep our tax dollars here,” said Bill Bigham, a leader of the movement to create the city of Lake Tahoe, Nev.

Ron Nino, leader of the opposition, said a city government will only raise taxes without a corresponding improvement in services.

The opposition has received financial support from the Stateline casinos, whose tax burden Nino said would rise by at least $300,000 yearly under a city government.