Clark County wants Las Vegas council to stop annexation efforts
Clark County commissioners are urging the Las Vegas City Council to halt efforts to annex 872 acres of county land.
In a letter dated Jan. 26 and received by Mayor Carolyn Goodman on Thursday, the county stated its “vehement opposition” to the “involuntary annexation” of 10 areas spanning three city wards.
“The number of parcels (over 1,500) and the distance separating the subject annexation areas (up to four miles) makes the citizens’ efforts to organize an effective protest within the short timeframe available virtually impossible,” the letter states.
The letter, signed by all seven commissioners, states the city should not annex land merely to increase its tax revenues. County residents living in the areas receive police, fire and other services from the city.
“The affected citizens will receive nothing of value in return for their additional tax dollars,” the letter states.
Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian countered that those county residents should pay for the city services they’re receiving.
“From my point of view, this isn’t a money grab, it’s about fairness,” she said. “The reason we’re attempting to annex is to make it fair tax-wise for all the people in the same area.”
Clark County officials also allege in the letter that the city’s proposed 872-acre annexation doesn’t appear square with state law governing the powers of cities. But the county has not cited specifics, and city officials disagree with the charge.
“We’re following NRS, and this is just exploratory in nature,” Goodman said.
The City Council last month approved a resolution of intent to annex the unincorporated land, and sent notices to affected landowners. A public hearing is slated for Feb. 12.
On Tuesday, county commissioners will vote whether to sign a resolution opposing the proposed annexation. They’ve also asked the city not to go forward with the public hearing.
“Instead of forcing annexation upon the citizens against their will, let us open a dialogue between us — the Board of Commissioners and the City Council — to explore how we can, together, better serve the citizens in the subject areas in the future while maintaining the existing jurisdictional boundaries,” the letter concludes.
Contact Michael Scott Davidson at sdavidson@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861. Find @davidsonlvrj on Twitter.
Review-Journal reporter Jamie Munks contributed to this report.
Letter regarding Resolution of Intent to Annex Territory at Various Locations by Las Vegas Review-Journal on Scribd
