2012 PRIMARY ELECTION: LAUGHLIN QUESTION

Laughlin's fate rests in the hands of residents who will vote whether their town 100 miles south of Las Vegas will become its own city.

Voters will decide on the incorporation issue and select a mayor and four City Council members regardless of whether the city ballot initiative passes. That means the council member elections could become a glorified popularity contest if voters reject incorporating.

It's a crowded race with 14 candidates, even though the city might not ever materialize.

The ballot question addresses the proposed city's boundaries, which excludes the hotel corridor as described in Senate Bill 262, and gives voters the option to vote for or against incorporation.

Also on the ballot will be language crafted to explain arguments for and against incorporation.

All candidate races are nonpartisan. Council members would represent the entire city despite coming from four different seats. Each office would be held for a four-year term.

Two mayoral candidates, Terry Ursini and Terry Yurick, will square off for a chance to head the city or for bragging rights of what could have been.

Cheryl Crow and Sergius "Serg" Kohudic are vying for council member seat A.

Council seat B is the most crowded race, with four candidates battling to become one of the city's first political leaders. Richard Bullock, William Campbell, Deb Dauenhauer and Charlie Minniear are running for that office.

In the seat C race, Frederick Doten, Margaret Gabaldon and Novelt Mack Jr. are competing.

Rosemary Munger, David Nigma and Thane O'Brien are battling for seat D.

The ballot initiative came after a months-long debate about whether the town could survive alone financially. The town is now controlled by the Clark County Commission. The issue of incorporation was addressed by SB262, proposed by state Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, which asked state and county officials to review a state feasibility report.

Legislators keep veto power over whether a city can be formed, even if voters approve it. The state Legislative Commission, which sent the issue to a vote, gave the 2013 Legislature the option to repeal the charter if it determines the city isn't financially solvent or to delay incorporation from the July 1, 2013, target date.

The proposed city would model itself after Las Vegas, with a county island casino corridor separate from the city boundaries. Fire and police services could be outsourced or city departments could be created. The county would be responsible for providing services to the business corridor.

City revenue would come from property taxes, consolidated taxes and other municipal fees.

According to the Nevada Department of Taxation, the proposed city of Laughlin would need an annual budget of $11 million, about $3.5 million to $3.9 million coming from consolidated tax funds transferred from the county.

According to the department, the new city would start with an immediate budget deficit, use up all its revenue and end its first year significantly in the red.

But proponents of incorporation have criticized that report, saying they could find savings in police and fire salaries.

The town of 7,300 people rests on the banks of the Colorado River across from Bullhead City, Ariz., an area with more shops, services and about 40,000 people.

Laughlin has one hometown grocery store, no supermarket chains and few fast-food restaurants.

Over the past decade, Laughlin's population has grown at a snail's pace, with 247 people moving to Laughlin in that time, according to the latest census figures.

Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.