Proposal for possible sales tax increase makes surprise appearance on Clark County commission meeting agenda

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A possible increase of the sales tax in Clark County made a surprise appearance on Tuesday's commission meeting agenda, public records show.

Tick Segerblom, the county commission chairman, added the proposal to Tuesday's meeting. Segerblom declined the 8 News Now Investigators request for an interview, replying electronically, saying, "I don't want to discuss it publicly – I don't know what other board members think."

In 2019, the state legislature gave each county the authority to raise its respective sales tax by one-quarter of 1%. As such, Clark County raised its sales tax half of that amount .0125% in January 2020, prior to the onset of COVID-19. This increase, should it meet with the commission's approval, would account for the other half of the authorized increase – from 8.375% to 8.5%.

At the time, 8 News Now reported the 2020 increase would net $54 million in revenue for the county. Marilyn Kirkpatrick, councilwoman of District B, supported the 2020 increase.

"It is really Clark county's most stable revenue source," Kirkpatrick said of the point of sale tax increase. "And it is paid for by everybody and anybody that purchases anything that is non-food related."

She continued: "There's an opportunity at any point to of course raise it if we feel that it is making a big investment. There's also an opportunity to stop collecting it if we feel that it's not doing its part."

The increase would, for example, add $37.50 to a $30,000 automobile purchase. And it would also apply to any out-of-state goods bought for use in Nevada.

The Retail Association of Nevada, in a statement, objected to the measure.

The statements, in its entirety, reads as follows:

The Retail Association of Nevada strongly opposes the proposed sales tax increase in Clark County and condemns any policy that would further strain the budgets of hardworking residents and families.

"Our economy today looks vastly different from when the last sales tax increase was authorized in 2020. Rising costs of living, including housing, utilities, and everyday essentials, have already stretched household budgets to the breaking point. Every dollar simply doesn't go as far as it used to, and increasing sales tax is a grossly inappropriate move that will only deepen the financial pressures felt by our community.

"Sales taxes are regressively and impact lower-income residents disproportionately, driving up the cost of living and creating additional challenges for those already struggling. Clark County has not provided a clear or compelling justification for this tax hike, making it even more concerning to pursue such a policy at this time.

"Reaching into the pockets of residents with a tax increase now will harm our most vulnerable community members. We strongly urge the Commissioners to stand with their constituents and reject this proposal."