I owe the government $212.
For the first time, I will not be getting an income tax refund this year. I owe 212 smackers, as it was explained to me, because I work two jobs; when Uncle Sam takes his chunks of each of my checks, he takes an amount based on what I make at each individual job. But when those two jobs are combined, it pushes me into a higher tax bracket -- and thus, the government wants $212 more than what I have already paid.
Because of this, I had to change my tax forms at both jobs so I am no longer claiming myself as a dependent -- meaning more will come out of my checks.
In other words, because I have to work two jobs and pay off those student loans, they feel they need $212 more. I wonder what they'll use it for.
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NEWS ITEM -- The Sparks City Council several months ago voted unanimously to give City Manager Terry Reynolds a $10,000 raise -- and a $10,000 bonus.
The raise brought Reynolds' salary to $100,068 per year.
Councilwoman Cindy Henderson said money for the pay increase will come from surplus funds left over from the many unfilled job positions within the city
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Anyway, at least I am fortunate to have my two jobs. Unemployment is fairly low right now, but there are still a lot of people out there who do not even have a job. And there are a lot of people, too, who may be employed in jobs where they are still not quite getting all the bills paid.
It happens. I have seen members of my family unemployed, or employed while struggling to survive on what they make.
But, hey, all my bills are paid. That's a good thing!
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NEWS ITEM -- Assemblyman Morse Arberry D-North Las Vegas, last week introduced a bill which would give legislators a 92 percent pay increase.
AB600 would hike salaries to $15,000 per legislative session, and also give lawmakers a $100-per-month allowance while the Legislature is not in session. Lawmakers currently make $7,800 per session, plus an $80-per-day living allowance.
"You will see almost a unanimous vote for it," Arberry predicted regarding the 92 percent pay increase.
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I do not make that much money a year; as a matter of fact, I am nestled in the low-middle area of the $20,000-$30,000 per year bracket.
But this year, I am proud to say, I will be making a little more. Employees of the Tribune this year were given a 3 percent raise. Yes, it is a modest raise, but it is at least the cost of living increase and maybe a little more, seeing as inflation is so low right now.
The raise, in hard before-tax cash, comes to just over $500 for the year. After all, it's a whole rent payment. Considering many Sparks-Reno residents do not get raises at all, I am pretty happy with that raise.
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NEWS ITEM -- Earlier this month, the Reno City Council voted to give Reno City Manager Charles McNeely a $16,000 annual raise, bringing his total salary to $135,000 a year.
He was also given a $10,000 performance bonus.
Mayor Jeff Griffin and council members praised the work McNeely has done in Reno, on projects such as the railroad trench and downtown redevelopment.
However, the railroad trench has been a source of controversy -- and lawsuits -- after the nature of the funding for the project came into question. Also, McNeely's critics point out far more businesses are closed downtown than there were when McNeely started on the job a few years ago, and that projects McNeely has played a part in -- such as the downtown theater and the saving of the Mapes -- have been delayed or even been jeopardized due to oversights.
The extra $16,000 means McNeely will get a 11.8 percent raise. Counting the $10,000 bonus for this year, this year's effective raise of $26,000 amounted to almost an 18 percent increase.
McNeely's raise comes on the heels of the Reno City Council giving its members a raise last October. Salaries were raised to $34,500 and the mayor's salary increased to $39,600, up from $20,000 and $25,000 respectively -- over a 57 percent increase in both cases.
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As I mail the government the $212 they want, I am comforted. Heck, I'll be making that money up in the $500 raise I got this year. And since I have the government taking more out of my checks, because I am claiming I am not dependent on myself, I probably won't have to pay next year.
Heck, maybe I'll even get a little refund in 2000. What a bonus that would be.
Jimmy Boegle is a fifth-generation Nevadan. His column appears here Tuesdays; he can be reached at the Tribune or via e-mail at jiboegle@alumni.stanford.org.