SPARKS — The city of Sparks has agreed to lobby for a proposed tax increase to the Nevada Legislature in February 2011, but only if the voters approve the measure first.

The Sparks City Council voted Monday to use its one and only bill draft request (BDR) for the next legislative session to back a 0.25 percent sales tax increase that would be used to hire 25 additional police officers. The BDR is a petition to the Legislature for a law change — in this case, a tax increase.

However, Sparks faces a possibility that its petition may be dead on arrival. Voters will be asked in the November general election if they approve of the tax. If the ballot question fails, city officials say the tax would not be pursued.

“So you are saying if this (ballot item) fails, we are out a bill draft?” Councilman Mike Carrigan asked with raised eyebrows at Monday’s meeting.

Sparks government affairs staff responded in the affirmative.

“If the ballot initiative fails, the BDR goes away,” said Kathy Clewett, Sparks government affairs analyst.

With or without voter feedback, the city’s bill draft request must be submitted to the state by Sept. 1.

Facing the possibility of its voice being silent in the Legislature this year, City Council members then explored the possibility of asking a local legislator to use one of their allotted BDRs to petition for a different Sparks cause. If area representatives Debbie Smith or Don Gustavson win re-election to the state Assembly or Senate respectively, Sparks could have someone to ask, Clewett said. But those results don’t come back until November, along with the final vote on the police tax ballot question.

With an election season shaking up the Legislature this year, Clewett responded that the possibility of getting another BDR before the Legislature would be a “long shot.”

“Things are very uncertain this year because there is so much turnover (in the state Legislature),” Clewett said.

By Nevada law, legislators have a little leeway on deadlines for their personal bill draft requests. Also, some get more requests based on ranking while other low-ranking lawmakers could have only one BDR per session.

In the end, the Sparks council voted to push forward with the police services tax initiative, thinking it was better to have the city’s full weight behind the item.

“From a pure timing perspective, I want this to be our one and then find a legislator who will carry another item,” Councilwoman Julia Ratti said of the police tax request.

The motion passed 4-1 with Councilman Ron Schmitt casting a “no” vote.

“We don’t have any other ideas right now, so why not,” Councilman Ron Smith said.