Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Pahrump Town Board loses appeal over 2012 vote to abolish it

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a public vote that the Pahrump Town Board be eliminated and its assets and liabilities transferred to the Nye County Commission.

The town board has been waging a legal battle, claiming the Nye County Commission didn’t follow the law in placing the issue on the ballot in 2012.

The vote was 7,294 to 7,064 for scrapping the town board. The county commission heard complaints about a 53 percent tax increase and that the town board ignored the wishes of the residents,

But those who opposed abolishment of the town board claimed it was a tax grab by the county. They argued the spending comes in under the budget in Pahrump while Nye County has trouble managing its budget.

According to the latest population estimates, Nye County has 44,749 residents, of which 37.030 live in Pahrump.

The Supreme Court rejected the argument of the Pahrump Town Board that the county commission in ordering the election, did not make an express finding that the form of government was not in the best interest of citizens.

The court said the county commission can base its decision on the best interests of the town and it does not have to formally state its rationale.

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