Transportation Developments and Safety Measures in Las Vegas

The Clark County Commission has voted to extend inflation adjustments to a fuel tax for another decade, ensuring continued funding for roadway infrastructure projects in Southern Nevada. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, this decision allows voters in 2036 to determine if they wish to maintain the tax.

The fuel revenue index, which collected 23 cents per gallon in the last fiscal year, has amassed approximately $1 billion since its inception in 2014 to support over 700 infrastructure projects. RTC CEO MJ Maynard-Carey emphasized that this vote is crucial for sustaining the funding necessary to keep the region's transportation system operational amidst rising costs.

The indexing extension was made possible by Assembly Bill 530, signed into law by Governor Joe Lombardo in May. During the commission session, more than 30 individuals, including Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, voiced their support for the extension.

However, Commissioner April Becker dissented, arguing voters should have the opportunity to decide on the tax extension again, as initially required by the original legislation. Becker expressed concerns that the tax disproportionately impacts lower-income residents who rely on gasoline for transportation.

The current gasoline tax is set at 78.2 cents per gallon, which includes federal, state, and local taxes. The RTC has utilized the nearly $1 billion generated from the inflation-adjusted tax to leverage approximately $3 billion in project funding through bonding and federal grants.

Without the indexing extension, cash flow for roadway funding was projected to drop significantly by 2030. Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick stressed the need for this extension due to declining revenues post the 2008 financial crisis, while Commissioner Justin Jones pointed out that increased revenues help the county compete for federal grants.

Commission Chair Tick Segerblom characterized the tax as a fair method of funding, stating that those who use the roads should be responsible for paying for them. The indexed portion of the tax increased by 2.9 cents last fiscal year, with projections indicating it could raise $160 million during the upcoming fiscal year, making up about 14 percent of the RTC's annual budget.

The extension was approved with five out of seven votes, with Becker being the only dissenting voice. The decision marks a significant step in maintaining the infrastructure essential for the community's mobility and safety.