Unincorporated towns in Nevada
Encyclopedia
Nevada
state law allows for governance of unincorporated towns under two different systems. The Unincorporated Town Government Law, adopted in 1975, applies to counties of 100,000 people or more, and any other county that opts in. For other counties, a patchwork system of laws applies.
and Washoe
Counties), and any other county whose commissioners pass an ordinance adopting the law.
Under this law, unincorporated towns are provided extra services by the county, paid for by property taxes or other revenue sources from the town. A town can be formed by an initiative petition by residents, or by the county commissioners.
A town advisory board is empaneled for each town. The county commissioners may choose for the town advisory board to be elected by town residents, or appointed by the commissioners. In either case, the commissioners may remove a board member at any time.
The advisory board is responsible for acting as a liaison between the residents and the county commissioners, and advising the commissioners on budgets and local ordinances. The commissioners may delegate to the advisory board management of local services and expenditures.
The county commission may levy a property tax of up to 1.5% on all property in the town. This tax, and other town revenue, is placed in a town fund administered by the county, to be used only for the benefit of the town.
Many town government functions can be exercised jointly by the town board or the county commissioners, such as providing local services, adopting ordinances, regulating businesses, establishing police and fire departments, and issuing bonds
As an alternative to a town board, county commissioners may create a citizens' advisory council for an unincorporated community. The three-to-five-member council is appointed by commissioners after an "informal election". The council acts in an advisory and liaison capacity, and does not affect the responsibilities of the commissioners.
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
state law allows for governance of unincorporated towns under two different systems. The Unincorporated Town Government Law, adopted in 1975, applies to counties of 100,000 people or more, and any other county that opts in. For other counties, a patchwork system of laws applies.
Unincorporated Town Government Law
The Unincorporated Town Government Law, adopted in 1975, applies to counties with a population over 100,000 (ClarkClark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
and Washoe
Washoe County, Nevada
Washoe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. The population was 421,407 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Reno. Washoe County includes the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area.-History:...
Counties), and any other county whose commissioners pass an ordinance adopting the law.
Under this law, unincorporated towns are provided extra services by the county, paid for by property taxes or other revenue sources from the town. A town can be formed by an initiative petition by residents, or by the county commissioners.
A town advisory board is empaneled for each town. The county commissioners may choose for the town advisory board to be elected by town residents, or appointed by the commissioners. In either case, the commissioners may remove a board member at any time.
The advisory board is responsible for acting as a liaison between the residents and the county commissioners, and advising the commissioners on budgets and local ordinances. The commissioners may delegate to the advisory board management of local services and expenditures.
Other counties
In counties where the Unincorporated Town Government Law does not apply, a town board may be established for an unincorporated area, either by initiative petition or act of the county commissioners. The five-member board is elected by residents.The county commission may levy a property tax of up to 1.5% on all property in the town. This tax, and other town revenue, is placed in a town fund administered by the county, to be used only for the benefit of the town.
Many town government functions can be exercised jointly by the town board or the county commissioners, such as providing local services, adopting ordinances, regulating businesses, establishing police and fire departments, and issuing bonds
As an alternative to a town board, county commissioners may create a citizens' advisory council for an unincorporated community. The three-to-five-member council is appointed by commissioners after an "informal election". The council acts in an advisory and liaison capacity, and does not affect the responsibilities of the commissioners.