Badlands Developer Fights Back After Years of Government Red Tape

In yet another example of government overreach and fiscal irresponsibility, Clark County is being taken to court over what developers say was the unlawful collection of more than $8 million in property taxes and fees tied to the now-defunct Badlands Golf Course in Las Vegas. The lawsuit, filed by developer Yohan Lowie’s company, EHB Cos., argues that once the City of Las Vegas effectively condemned the land by refusing development rights, the property should have been tax-exempt under Nevada law.

The developers say they were left paying nearly $1 million annually from 2017 through early 2024—while the city waged a prolonged legal battle against them. In an ironic twist, the city, now a co-plaintiff in the suit, has a vested financial interest in the outcome. Courts have consistently ruled that the city took the land, which, under Nevada law, should exempt it from taxation—particularly when it’s designated for public use or government control.

But here’s the kicker: even after being asked to remove the taxes to allow a new buyer—Lennar, who plans to build a 1,480-unit housing project—to close the $350 million deal, Clark County flatly refused. EHB and the city were forced to pay the $1.3 million tax bill “under protest” just to allow the sale to go through. So much for limited government respecting property rights.

After all the legal wrangling, the city agreed to pay EHB $286 million in a three-way deal, part of a broader $636 million settlement. The city is now officially part of the lawsuit after a judge ordered it to participate, given it may be entitled to refunds alongside the developer.

At its core, this case reveals the tangled web of bureaucracy, taxation without representation, and a bloated local government that prefers extracting money from its residents and developers rather than admitting fault. It’s a cautionary tale for any private entity trying to do business under the weight of intrusive municipal politics.

The lawsuit is seeking not just reimbursement, but compound interest, legal fees, and additional damages—a small ask considering the financial and bureaucratic maze EHB was forced to navigate for nearly a decade.

Original Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal