Net proceeds of mines have become an insignificant portion of the total tax base in Lincoln County. Generally, the tax base study shows that Lincoln County has more tax base per capita now than it had ten years ago. The most significant concern is the fundamental change in the property tax base. Mobile homes, which are less expensive and depreciate faster, are becoming a more prevalent portion of the property tax base. Furthermore, the per capita tax base increase appears to be due to a decrease in population and not an increase in resources.
Local governments receive revenues from various sources.
Some sources are relatively stable while the business cycle and growth of the community affect others. The community needs to have sufficient revenues to provide the necessary services while having a mix of revenue sources that will not be too sensitive to any downturn in the local economy. The elastic revenue sources are that sensitive to the business cycle. If the share of revenues coming from elastic sources is rising, this may forebode problems in the event of an economic downturn. A community's tax rates are an indicator of whether the tax base is keeping pace with growth or whether higher rates are needed to finance necessary services for growth.