The patchwork of local government jurisdictions in the greater Las Vegas Valley can be confusing for even the most dedicated politicos. In addition to the Clark County Commission, the Valley is governed by the councils of three incorporated cities, a sovereign tribal colony and a cluster of federal agencies that oversee military bases and federal lands. Additionally, the county takes formal advice and provides limited authority to the boards of six unincorporated townships and a special community advisory council. Not to mention the numerous agencies with special jurisdictions over specific fields such as the Clark County School District, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Regional Transportation Commission and Southern Nevada Water Authority, to name a few.

Collectively, these local governments form a tapestry with authority over everything from public safety policy to land-use planning, infrastructure, parks and recreation, social services, economic development and more.

LAS VEGAS

With a population of more than 650,000 residents, the City of Las Vegas is the largest city within Clark County and boasts a robust municipal government headed by the Las Vegas City Council. Comprising six council members and the mayor—who are elected by residents—the council exercises authority over a range of municipal functions and is responsible for passing ordinances governing active and diverse areas in Downtown Las Vegas—including the Fremont Street Experience and Fremont East—the Historic Westside and Summerlin.

The council’s responsibilities encompass both policy formulation and operational oversight, ensuring the efficient delivery of services to city residents and businesses. Through strategic planning initiatives, budget allocations and community engagement efforts, the council strives to enhance the quality of life and promote economic prosperity within the city.

One aspect of the City of Las Vegas that is unique among most other cities in the United States is that Las Vegas does not operate its own independent police department. Instead, the city provides one-third of the funding for LVMPD, a county-wide law enforcement agency that formed from a merging of the Clark County Sheriff’s department and Las Vegas Police Department in 1973.

LAS VEGAS PAIUTE COLONY

Located on 10 acres of land in Downtown Las Vegas and 4,000 acres in the northwest corner of the valley, the seven-member tribal council of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe governs a sovereign nation. The colony includes a police department with 10 officers, a health and human services department, community recreation facilities and numerous businesses.

CLARK COUNTY

As the primary legislative and executive body in Clark County, the seven members of the county commission oversee everything from public health and safety to business licenses and code enforcement.

The commission is also responsible for managing county-wide public agencies such as the offices of the county clerk, coroner, district attorney, public defender and more. While their jurisdiction is somewhat curtailed within the boundaries of incorporated cities like Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson, they have authority over almost all government functions in unincorporated areas of Clark County, including the Las Vegas Strip, the UNLV campus corridor and Harry Reid International Airport. 

By passing ordinances, resolutions and policy directives, the commission serves as the linchpin of regional governance, shapes the county’s regulatory framework, allocates resources, and tries to address the needs of the county’s 2.3 million residents.

Advising the county commission are 13 town advisory boards and six community advisory councils who serve local unincorporated communities within the county such as Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise, Sunrise Manor, Whitney and Winchester. (“Unincorporated” means not incorporated in a formal city.) While town advisory boards generally have little or no formal authority, as the elected representatives of their respective communities, recommendations of a town council are rarely ignored by the commission or other government officials.

NORTH LAS VEGAS

As a separate incorporated city of more than 280,000 residents, North Las Vegas operates under its own municipal government overseen by the North Las Vegas City Council. The council comprises four members and the mayor, whose jurisdiction encompasses a wide range of municipal functions, including public safety, infrastructure maintenance, land use planning and community development. Unlike Las Vegas, North Las Vegas maintains its own independent police force.

HENDERSON

With approximately 330,000 residents, Henderson is often heralded as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and is led by the Henderson City Council. Comprising four council members and the mayor, who are elected by residents, the council serves as the legislative and policy-making body for the city.

Like the Las Vegas neighborhood of Summerlin, Henderson is home to numerous master-planned communities, many of which add a new layer of local governance in the form of homeowner’s associations, or HOAs.

Like North Las Vegas, Henderson has its own local police force and recent campaigns have called for Henderson to establish its own school district, separate from Clark County School District.

BOULDER CITY

Nestled along the Colorado River, Boulder City embodies a unique blend of history, charm, and natural beauty. Governed by the Boulder City Council, the municipality operates under a council-manager form of government, wherein the council sets policy direction and the city manager oversees day-to-day operations.

Comprising four council members elected at large, along with the mayor, who is elected separately, the council has long focused on historic preservation and maintaining the city’s distinct character while fostering sustainable growth.

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