LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Chair of Clark County proposes that Nevada’s most populous area have a name change to “Las Vegas County.”
Chair Tick Segerblom has become the first local county official to publicly support a county name change, telling FOX5 that some county commissioners have discussed and endorse the idea for regional and tourism “branding” for the Entertainment Capital of the World.
“It would take away the confusion. The Strip is not in the city of Las Vegas,” Segerblom said. “Everybody lives in ‘Las Vegas,’ but most people don’t actually live in [the city of] Las Vegas…it adds a little pizzazz,” he said.
“Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County: we wouldn’t be unique in having the major city and the county has the same name,” Segerblom said. It also goes back to our roots. We were part of Mexico before we were part of the United States. We are a Spanish-speaking city and county, so let’s recognize that and use that in our name,” he said.
According to Clark County’s website, the county was named after Sen. William Andrews Clark, who founded the railroad linking Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.
From the time tourists touch down at Harry Reid International Airport, stop by the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and go up the Las Vegas Strip, many describe their experience as a visit to Las Vegas. The City of Las Vegas boundary begins when Las Vegas Boulevard reaches Sahara Avenue.
The cost would be unknown, Segerblom said, but the process would take a number of years. “If people are serious, let’s study what that would cost,” he said, telling FOX5 the process could be done over time. The name change of McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport cost upwards of $7 million, raised with private donations, and the process to change all signs is still ongoing.
The change would take a change in Nevada state law and approval by lawmakers.
FOX5 reached out to a number of Clark County lawmakers, and the following provided statements:
Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant (R) , District 23, Clark County:
“In Nevada, there are more pressing matters that demand our focus and funding, such as education, mental health, homelessness, and affordable housing. The proposed name change from Clark County to Las Vegas County would incur millions in taxpayer dollars. Why should we spend such a sum? Just to provoke the Mayor of Las Vegas? If Tick wants to provoke the Mayor, he should do so at his own expense, not at the expense of taxpayers.”
Assemblyman Reuben D’Silva (D), District 28, Clark County:
“We will have to gather more details about this. A name change like this will definitely have fiscal and logistic impacts, but if there is overwhelming support from the public, as well as consensus among local leaders then it is something the state can definitely look into.”
Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop (D), District 8, Clark County (via a post on X):
“Nooooo @tsegerblom It’s called history!”
FOX5 also reached out to City of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, who provided the following statement, referring to a long-standing argument that the City of Las Vegas should absorb more parts of Clark County for streamlined governance:
“Las Vegas is world-famous and I would love to have Tick and the county be a part of our city.”
FOX5 reached out to Governor Joe Lombardo’s office for comment. His office sent FOX5 the following statement, describing the discussion as a local city and county issue:
“If this proposal made it through the state legislature, the Governor would evaluate the legislation.”
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