Political control over special districts in local government: A case study of the Las Vegas - Clark County Library District

John Thompson Stephens, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Abstract

This thesis examines the Las Vegas - Clark County Library District over the five year period from 1991 to 1995. Based on interviews, local media coverage and budgetary data, the work traces the development of the library district during its most turbulent times. As a case study of special districts or "functional feudalities", the Las Vegas - Clark County Library District provides an excellent microcosm for understanding competing elites, interest group politics, budgetary problems, and public perception as determinants of policy made by a non-elected governing board.