It's the time of year when temps and power bills both hit triple digits—except in the case of a city or county. Then the bills are six figures or more. Either way, you're still paying! Below, a comparison:
Clark County
Current Usage: $7,489,795, through May 16
Comparison from last year: $2,271,853 in July 2003
Biggest Power Drain: Frances Deane's computer
Second Biggest: Frances Deane's copier
Third Biggest: Frances Deane's paper shredder
City of Las Vegas
Current Usage: $1,204,013 (estimated July bill)
Comparison from last year: $1,135,862 in July 2003
Biggest Power Drain: Cooling Oscar's jets
Second Biggest: Neonopolis
North Las Vegas
Current Usage: $327,660.68 (estimated July bill)
Comparison from last year: July 2003: $292,554.18
Biggest Power Drain: Oops, the city has no power
Henderson
Current Usage: $555,439.40 (May 2004; estimate: $10, 665,700)
Comparison from last year: $811,739 (August 2003)
Biggest Power Drain: Defending Richard Perkins from Hatch Act
Second Biggest: Figuring out how to add a profitable eighth hill to Seven Hills
Boulder City
Current Usage: $400,000-plus (estimated July bill)
Comparison from last year: $389,028 (July 2003)
Biggest Power Drain: Bankrupt golf course
Second Biggest: Bankrupt golf course
Third Biggest: Bankrupt golf course