Officials say public safety sales tax would benefit law enforcement and justice systems

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Clark County’s government wants its citizens to know the approval of a .1% increase on retail sales tax would be used to benefit its beleaguered law and justice system.

During an informational forum on June 23, county staff and county council chair Karen Bowerman provided information about the upcoming sales tax proposal on the Aug. 2 ballot. If approved, the measure would help fund a body-worn and vehicle dashboard-based camera program for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Bowerman stressed the intent of the forum was to provide information on what the funding, which is estimated at $12 million countywide, could provide.

“The question of a new sales tax goes to voters for a reason. It’s for you to decide,” Bowerman said.

Buying the cameras is relatively simple, but Bowerman said the ongoing cost is the issue that requires a steady funding source.

She acknowledged a similar proposition in November was “soundly defeated” as only 42% of voters supported the measure. Bowerman said the measure likely failed because it was designated for jails and juvenile detention facilities and not explicitly for body cameras. She said the council believes the public will accept the tax hike more readily if it specifically points out how the money would be used. 

If approved, 60% of the tax’s revenues will go to the county, while 40% is earmarked for cities on a per-capita basis. Cities are allowed to decide how to utilize the funding, though it must go toward public safety. It, however, wouldn’t preclude a city from diverting existing revenues it currently puts toward public safety toward other expenses.

Clark County Manager Kathleen Otto said the county’s property tax revenue is fairly stable, while other revenues are experiencing a slight decline. The sales tax has increased in “an unprecedented manner” in 2022, Otto said. If the sales tax maintains its level of increase, it would result in $10 million more than what was budgeted.

The increase would change the county’s budgeting process, which has incorporated a structural deficit for a number of years, Otto said. The increase isn’t expected to last, however.

“While we are seeing this unprecedented increase, it is not sustainable,” Otto said.

Officials on both sides of the law and justice equation were in support of implementing the body camera program.

“It’s really an essential tool of the sheriff’s office that we are fully in support of,” Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins said about body cameras.

Atkins said the implementation of body cameras would allow for greater transparency in the community, who he said is clearly in support of the program’s implementation.

That said, having the staff to run the public records requests alongside the storage of video data would require more than what the department is currently capable of.



“There’s a lot more to it than just strapping on a camera or putting a camera in a police car,” Atkins said.

The benefits are great, Atkins said, because the program will help with the integrity of reporting on instances.

“In the height of a high-adrenaline event, our clarity isn’t always exactly as it could be,” Atkins said.

Atkins said the equipment can also be used for training purposes among sheriff’s office staff so they can view real-life encounters.

“This, I believe, not only will make the community more aware and (the department) be more transparent to the community, it will make them safer. It will make us safer,” Atkins said.

Atkins explained having footage could help validate deputies’ statements.

“If there are those kinds of complaints that come in against our law enforcement, for speeding, actions in the field … we can pull that film, we can look at it and we can clearly see if it did or didn’t happen the way the complainant was stating,” Atkins said.

Clark County Prosecutor Tony Golik said his office would use the program for evidence which could carry more weight than the sworn affidavits currently used.

“It’s one thing to read the officer’s recitation about what happened in a case and what they observed. It’s another thing to actually have video,” Golik said. “It certainly isn’t just about officer accountability. It’s about obtaining the best evidence through this essential tool.”

Since the revenue is only earmarked for public safety, the ballot measure could also provide funds for other issues facing the county like improvements at the Clark County Jail.

Atkins said the current jail was built in 1984 with 306 beds, which is less than the current 400-plus inmate level it houses.

“Ideally we’d build a whole new jail and it’d be bigger, but that may not happen,” Atkins said.

If the sheriff’s office receives more funds, it would focus on the remodel and relocation of administrative offices, as well as improving conditions in other areas.