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- 💵 Las Vegas Taxpayers on the Hook for Over $230 Million in Badlands Case
💵 Las Vegas Taxpayers on the Hook for Over $230 Million in Badlands Case
Issue #178 - June 2, 2024
John Wu
02 Jun
Dear SummerSouth Insiders!
🚀 Exciting News Ahead & We Need Your Support! 🌟
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📆 Weekly Local Events for June 2024
Regular weekly events in or near Summerlin, Las Vegas are listed below.
Visit here to lookup specific venue information or for upcoming and/or non-weekly events on Meetup.
Monday
Monday Classes At Latin Blendz: (Every week on Monday @ 10AM)
Socially Vegas - Monday Night Bowling @ The Orleans Bowling Center: Must arrive/check-in before 7pm; 7 - 10pm (Every week on Monday); COST (CASH Only) $10 for 2 games (includes shoes) COST: $12 for 3 games (includes shoes)
Monday Night TRIVIA at ReBAR, 1225 S Main St, Las Vegas: (Every week on Monday @ 7PM)
Tuesday
Terrific Tuesday Fun Pickleball @ Police Memorial, Bring a Chair: (Every week on Tuesday @ 2PM)
Sand Volleyball Intermediate, Rusty and Old Time Players @ Aloha Shores Park (NW), Cheyenne & Buffalo, 7550 Sauer St, Las Vegas: (Every week on Tuesday @ 6 - 8 PM)
Run Drink Las Vegas - Weekly Tuesday Run @ Frankie’s Uptown patio: 6:30 - 8:30 PM (Every week on Tuesday), FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @rundrinklv FOR THE LATEST WEATHER/TIMING UPDATES
Coed Soccer - Summerlin: Crossings Park, 1111 Crestdale Ln, Las Vegas: 7:30 - 9:45 PM (Every week on Tuesday/Thursday)
Wednesday
Business Leads Group - Networking Breakfast @ Summit Restaurant, Eagle Crest Golf Course, 2215 Thomas W Ryan Blvd, Las Vegas: Cost $20 cash, 7 - 8:30 AM (Every week on Wednesday)
Early Risers Toastmasters Meeting (In-Person - Summerlin Egg Works / Online Event: 7 - 8 AM (Every week on Wednesday)
Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club - Wednesday Morning Ride @ Einstein Bagels: 9 - 11:30 AM (Every week on Wednesday)
Speakers & Leaders of Summerlin Toastmasters Meeting, Summerlin Egg Works, 2025 Village Center Cir, Las Vegas: 12 - 1:30 PM (Every week on Wednesday)
Live Music Yoga w/ Cheryl Slader @ Blue Sky Yoga: (Suggested Donation $12); 5:30 - 6:45 PM (Every week on Wednesday)
Country Crossroads Dance, Rhythms Dance Studio & Event Center, 4545 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas: $15 Drop-in Rate / $50 for the whole month: 8 - 9 PM (Every week on Wednesday)
Thursday
Abundance Business Networking Group Online Event: 7 - 8:30 AM (Every week on Thursday). Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for networking. Steps to access our BNI Online™ Virtual Chapter Meeting, visit website.
Las Vegas Real Estate Investors Association - Weekly Power Lunch For Real Estate Investors: 11 AM - 1 PM (Every week on Thursday). Request to join here.
Free Salsa Classes @ Feel The Music Dance Studio: 7 - 8 PM (Every week on Thursday). Visit the website to register online.
Summerlin Bitcoin Happy Hour, SG Bar, 9580 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas: 6:30 PM (Every week on Thursday)
Coed Soccer - Summerlin: Crossings Park, 1111 Crestdale Ln, Las Vegas: 7:30 - 9:45 PM (Every week on Tuesday/Thursday)
Friday
Find Your Yoga Las Vegas - Flow & Yin W / Noé Hilyard @ Yoga Sanctuary: 6 - 7:15 PM (Every week on Friday) View Yoga Sanctuary's full schedule.
Swing Dancing in Las Vegas Vintage and Modern Swing Dances @ The Mint Tavern: 7:30 - 8:30 PM (Every week on Friday)
Saturday
Vino Las Vegas Wine & Yacht Club Brunch: 9 AM - 2 PM (Every Saturday and Sunday)
Find Your Yoga Las Vegas - Saturday Morning Meditation with Practitioner Selina Kelly @ Yoga Kandy, LLC. Cost: Love Donation $5-$10 suggested. 11 - 11:45 AM (Every week on Saturday)
Sunday
Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club - Sunday Morning Ride @ Einstein Bagels: 9 - 11:30 AM (Every week on Sunday)
Vino Las Vegas Wine & Yacht Club Brunch: 9 AM - 2 PM (Every Saturday and Sunday)
Level 1 West Coast Swing @ 2580 N Rancho Dr, North Las Vegas: 7 - 8 PM (Every week on Tuesday); Drop in Rate is $15, Monthly pass is $50; Register online.
🌤 Summerlin South, Las Vegas 10-Day Weather Forecast
⛽ Las Vegas Gas Prices
💵 Las Vegas Taxpayers on the Hook for Over $230 Million in Badlands Case
With Las Vegas voters about to elect a new mayor, the city's ongoing legal battles over the Badlands golf course redevelopment could leave taxpayers with a significant financial burden. The city's courtroom losses could potentially cost over $230 million, equivalent to roughly a quarter of the city's general-fund spending this year, and the final amount owed could still change as litigation continues.
Financial Impact and Challenges
Legal Fees and Rulings: The city has already spent nearly $6 million on fees to outside law firms. Courts have imposed over $230 million in rulings against the city.
Interest Payments: Las Vegas owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest payments following a Nevada Supreme Court decision upholding a victory for developer Yohan Lowie’s firm EHB Cos.
Budgetary Measures: Potential measures to address the financial burden include borrowing money, selling real estate, raising taxes, cutting staff or services, or using reserves. However, the city has not yet determined a definitive plan for covering these costs.
Key Developments and Statements
Council Actions: City officials have already shifted $60 million out of the general fund due to the state Supreme Court ruling, resulting in a shortfall of nearly $29 million.
Reserves: The city has over $200 million in general-fund reserves but has a policy goal of keeping reserves at 25% of its annual general-fund spending.
Future Projections: City Manager Mike Janssen noted that fiscal projections do not yet include future judgments, as the city continues to pursue its legal options.
Perspectives
Councilwoman Victoria Seaman: Seaman, whose ward includes the Badlands site and who is running for mayor, emphasized the potential impact on city services and the budget moving forward. She has advocated for ending the dispute.
Former North Las Vegas City Manager Ryann Juden: Juden highlighted the "tremendous impact" these judgments could have on the city's finances.
George Stevens, Former CFO for Clark County: Stevens underscored that city taxpayers would ultimately bear the financial burden.
Public and Candidate Reactions
Mayoral Candidates: Candidates have varied opinions on how to address the financial challenges posed by the Badlands dispute:
Victoria Seaman: Advocated for ending the dispute and highlighted the potential depletion of general funds.
Shelley Berkley: Urged for negotiation and criticized the continued funding of outside counsel.
Cedric Crear: Supported neighbors' rights and maintained the city's stance of good faith attempts to resolve the issue.
Eric Medlin: Criticized the dispute as a waste of time and resources.
Future Steps
Property Ownership and Sales: The city will take ownership of the Badlands property as it pays the verdicts to EHB. Selling the land may offset some costs, but the future value and potential sale price remain uncertain.
Legal Appeals: Las Vegas continues to pursue legal options, including a recent petition for rehearing in the Nevada Supreme Court case.
Conclusion
The financial implications of the Badlands legal fight pose a significant challenge for Las Vegas as it prepares to elect a new mayor. The city's leadership will need to explore various options to address the potential budget shortfall and manage the ongoing litigation costs.
❎ Your Guide to Voter Registration and Early Voting
Checking Your Voter Registration:
To check your voter registration status, visit the Nevada Secretary of State’s website at www.nvsos.gov/votersearch/.
Early Voting:
Dates: Saturday, May 25 to Friday, June 7.
Details: All early voting sites also serve as mail ballot drop-off locations. Hours and days vary by location and can be subject to change due to unforeseen events.
Updates: For the latest information, visit Clark County Elections or call 702-455-VOTE.
Early Voting and Mail Ballot Drop-off Locations: For a full list, visit Early Voting Sites and Drop-off Locations.
Voting on Election Day:
Date: June 11.
Poll Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Vote Centers: Your sample ballot packet includes a listing of vote centers near you. You can also use the “Vote Center Locator” map tool at Clark County Elections.
Election Day Voting Locations: For a complete list, visit Election Day Voting Locations.
Important Dates:
May 22: Deadline for the start of mailing in-state ballots.
May 23: No sample ballots for newly registered voters (those who register on or after this date will not receive a sample ballot for the current election).
May 25 to June 7: Early voting period.
May 29 to June 11: Registration or updates to registration can only be done online. No sample ballot will be mailed, and you must vote in person.
June 11: Election Day.
June 14, 5 p.m.: Deadline for submitting ID and/or proof of residence for provisional ballots, if needed.
June 15, 5 p.m.: Deadline for receiving mail ballots returned via the post office.
June 17, 5 p.m.: Deadline for curing mail ballot signature issues.
June 21: Deadline for county commission canvass.
June 26: Deadline to demand a recount.
For continuous updates and detailed information, always refer to the official Clark County Election Department website or contact their office directly.
🏀 Dallas Mavericks’ Success Highlights Contributions from Las Vegas Athletes
Patrick Dumont, the governor and president of the Dallas Mavericks, has been thrilled with his team's playoff run, which has positioned them just four wins away from an NBA championship. Dumont, who also serves as the president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., highlighted the unique connection the team has with Las Vegas, as three players—Jaden Hardy, Derrick Jones Jr., and P.J. Washington—have ties to Southern Nevada through high school or college basketball.
Key Highlights:
Local Connections:
Jaden Hardy: A former star at Coronado High School who chose the G League over college. Drafted by Sacramento in 2022 and traded to the Mavericks, Hardy has become a valuable player in the playoff rotation. He averaged 7.3 points during the regular season and scored 13 points in Game 4 against Minnesota.
Derrick Jones Jr.: Former UNLV player who signed with the Mavericks for the league minimum. Jones has set career highs in several categories this season and is known for his defensive prowess and versatility on the court.
P.J. Washington: A standout at Findlay Prep, Washington was acquired from Charlotte in February. His defensive skills and improved long-range shooting have significantly contributed to the Mavericks' success.
Playoff Journey:
The Mavericks have had an impressive run through the Western Conference, defeating the Clippers, Thunder, and Timberwolves to reach the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday in Boston.
Leadership and Team Effort:
Dumont praised the hard work and dedication of the team, from general manager Nico Harrison and coach Jason Kidd to star players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The team's ability to integrate new players after the trade deadline has been a key factor in their success.
Personal Reflections:
Dumont expressed his pride in seeing local players succeed and the strong connection between the Mavericks and the Las Vegas community. He emphasized the high character and talent of athletes from Las Vegas and the strength of the city's athletic programs.
🌭 Costco’s New CFO Confirms Iconic $1.50 Hot Dog Combo Price is Here to Stay
Costco’s new CFO, Gary Millerchip, has gone viral after assuring customers that the price of the iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo will remain unchanged. This announcement came during an interview with CNN's Nathaniel Meyersohn, putting to rest fears that the price might increase following the recent departure of longtime CFO Richard Galanti.
Millerchip’s confirmation was met with widespread enthusiasm and humor on social media. Fans celebrated the news, with one user declaring it a "great day for America" and another joking that it was "proof through the night that our flag was still there." The assurance has reinforced the hot dog combo as a significant part of Costco’s brand identity, reminding customers of the company’s commitment to value.
🙅♂️ DMV Busts VIN-Switching Operation, Arrests Made
The Nevada DMV Compliance Division successfully dismantled a family-run operation involved in switching out VIN numbers on stolen vehicles, leading to the arrest of Acosta Hernandez. Hernandez faces two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and two counts of possession of a vehicle with an altered VIN. This illicit activity, which began in Florida, ended in Las Vegas.
The bust, captured exclusively by FOX5, involved two SUVs stolen from Florida. Chief J.D. Decker of the Nevada DMV Compliance Division explained that detectives in Florida identified that the stolen vehicles might be in Nevada, prompting his team to track them down. The DMV received a tip from the National Insurance Crime Bureau about the VIN switch, which led to swift action to prevent the vehicles from being moved out of state and losing critical evidence.
The arrest operation, conducted on Thursday, targeted a residence tied to the suspects. Although Hernandez was apprehended, his brother remains at large. During the raid, two stolen SUVs with Florida license plates were found, along with drugs, thousands of dollars in cash, and 71 credit card skimming machines.
Decker emphasized the importance of public awareness when purchasing vehicles in private sales to avoid buying stolen cars. He advised that buyers and sellers should meet at a DMV, utilize the DMV's VIN inspection system, and ensure the car title matches the seller’s name.
Summerlin Area Command - Week Ending: May 24, 2024
Courtesy of The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
📌🏠 Summerlin South - April 2024
*Median Sold Price By Bedroom Count
This is the middle price for which all homes in the area were sold based on the number of bedrooms. Half of all the homes sold were below this price, and half were above.
Visit here to see the entire report.
📌✅ We Want To Spotlight Your Business!
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Until next time, John Wu.