Clark County, formed in 1909, is named for Sen. William Andrews Clark (1839-1925), who established the railroad that linked Los Angeles with Salt Lake City. Las Vegas was founded in 1905 after Clark's railroad, which made stops here, purchased land for a town site and sold lots by auction, creating downtown Las Vegas. Clark County is the most populous of Nevada's 17 counties with 2 million residents and 70 percent of the state's population.
As a "city" government, Clark County responds to the needs of about 900,000 residents in the urban unincorporated areas. Sahara Avenue, which crosses the Strip on the north side of the Sahara Hotel & Casino, is the municipal boundary for the City of Las Vegas. Those residing south of this line receive their traditional urban services from Clark County rather than from any of the County's five cities: Las Vegas (pop. 606,656), Henderson (pop. 276,428), North Las Vegas (pop. 224,940), Boulder City (pop. 15,886), and Mesquite (pop. 21,142). The services provided there include all those functions normally associated with a city, such as public works, building inspections, fire protection, parks and recreation, and others.
Clark County is governed by a seven-member County Commission, elected from geographic districts on a partisan basis for staggered four-year terms. Commissioners biennially elect a chairperson who serves as the Commissions presiding officer. The Commission in turn hires a County Manager who is responsible for administrative operations. The Chair is Susan Brager (seated in January 2007). The Vice-Chair is Steve Sisolak (January 2009). The other Commissioners are Larry Brown (January 2009), Tom Collins (January 2005), Chris Giunchigliani (January 2007), Mary Beth Scow (January 2011), and Lawrence Weekly (March 2007). Don Burnette has been County Manager since January 2011.
Clark County employs more than 10,000 in 38 departments. It has a fiscal year General Fund budget of $1.35 billion and a total budget of $6.2 billion. The County is known for its strong ending fund balance, overall financial strength and an investment-quality credit rating. It retains the best bond ratings of any local government in the state with an "AAA" from Moody's Investors Service and an "AA+" from Standard & Poor's. The County has committed to policies supporting these high standards in the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.
Clark County Purchasing and Contracts/Business Development (CCPC/BD) work in collaboration for the interest of our local small minority businesses to increase the utilization of small minority, women-owned and disadvantaged businesses, and to identify opportunities to participate at Clark County's procurement and out-reach activities.
Clark County launched its Business Opportunity Program to ensure equal opportunity for local businesses and believes that public funds should be dispersed in an equitable manner without any perceived barriers. CCPC/BD annually offers four (4) workshops focused on goods and services, professional services, construction, and a qualification process for architects. CCPC/BD together provide these workshops to members of NvMSDC and various Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizations in their facilities. Towards this goal, the Clark County Business Development Education Program (CCBDEP) was implemented. The program provides small, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises an opportunity to learn how to work with the County through classes that educate suppliers about the County's bid process. An added benefit of participating in CCBDEP's training is the opportunity to meet the County departments' end-users, which helps develop future business relationships.
The County has created partnerships and strategic alliances with community organizations, and corporations that represent the community on the County's Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC), Chaired by NvMSDC President, Dianne Fontes, and Regional Business Development Advisory Council (RBDAC), Chaired by Kenyatta Lewis, Supplier Diversity Director MGM. These committees, which represent the Urban Chambers, NAWBO, and all county agencies and corporate partners, provide the County with valuable feedback and information to enhance its supplier diversity goals and objectives.