ELKO, Nev. (AP) — A judge has sided with the state demographer in a dispute over the population of Elko.
The Elko Daily Free Press reports that a judge found the city failed to prove that state demographer Jeff Hardcastle incorrectly calculated the population of Elko.
In a ruling written Wednesday, the judge affirms Hardcastle's estimate that roughly 20,700 people lived in Elko as of 2015.
City Manager Curtis Calder says officials have to decide whether or not to appeal.
If so, the case will go before the Nevada Tax Commission.
According to Hardcastle, Elko's population decreased by about 150 people the last fiscal year.
Local officials say there must have been an increase with a recent rise in student enrollment and residential building.
Population is a factor when dividing county tax revenue.
