Sales Tax to Fund Water Projects Extended in Las Vegas Region

The Clark County Commission is extending a sales tax, created in 1998, which could have drawn to a close after raising $2.3 billion or the year 2025, whichever came first. The tax will remain in place indefinitely.

1 minute read

September 5, 2019, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Las Vegas Sprawl

trekandshoot / Shutterstock

"A quarter-cent sales tax raising $100 million annually for water and wastewater projects will remain in place indefinitely following a decision Tuesday by the Clark County Commission," reports Kelcie Grega.

"The tax, which was approved by voters by a significant margin in 1998, has raised more than $1.4 billion over the last two decades," adds Grega. "The 6-1 vote removes a sunset clause that would have made the tax expire in 2025."

That $1.4 billion in funding has contributed to projects like new treatment facilities, debt service for North Las Vegas’ water reclamation facility, and debt service for a waterline connecting Boulder City to the River Mountains Water Treatment Plant. No mention of future plans for the funding are mentioned in the article.

Opponents of the sales tax criticize the regressive burden of the sales tax on low-income residents of the county. According got a another article, by Shea Johnson, on the same subject, County Commissioner Tick Segerblom voted against lifting the sunset clause of the sales tax, "arguing that the tax was tantamount to subsidizing water rates, which doesn’t promote conservation, and the money could be better used elsewhere."

Tuesday, September 3, 2019 in Las Vegas Sun

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Silhouette of man holding on to back of bicycle ridden by woman with Eiffel Tower in background.

Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution

The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.

5 hours ago - Momentum Magazine

Multifamily housing under construction.

Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas

Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.

5 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Western coyote looking at camera in grassy field.

San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes

San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.

7 hours ago - Fox 5