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IN BUSINESS STATE GOVERNMENT COUNTY WILL GET $50 MILLION BACK FROM STATE'S MONEY GRAB By Joe Schoenmann staff writer N evada will county sued. repay Clark County about $50 million, pending approval of a county-state agreement, to resolve a dispute over the Legislature's so-called "money grab" from the county in 2009. The $50 million, about half the amount that county officials contend the county is owed, would not come as a cash payment, sources said. Rather, the state would provide $30 million to $35 million for improvements to the airport interchange at Interstate 215 and would alter a formula that dictates how the county contributes to the state Medicaid program, a $20 million savings for the county. Still represent a to be signed, a sea few months change ago when the deal would from just county officials offered to take even less than $50 million, even though they believe the county is owed $102.5 million. When that deal was rebuffed, however, the RETAIL A DIFFERENT KIND OF CONVENIENCE STORE OPENS AT McCARRAN By Conor Shine staff writer F Las flying International Airport 8 a.m. or visitors planning to party in Vegas, a detour to the liquor store before checking in at their hotel. Now travelers can save a trip and pick up a bottle of their favorite beer, wine or spirit at a liquor store that opened Nov. 5 near the baggage claim area in Terminal 1. The Liquor Library isn't a typical duty-free store found in airports. It still charges sales and liquor taxes, and it's geared toward arriving visitors wanting to pick up supplies for their vacation. "I think Las Vegas is a unique environment. We have a tremendous amount of people who come here to let their hair down a bit," said Rich Worthington, who co-owns the store with Chris Haase. "(The Liquor Library) offers a lot of convenience to people coming into the valley. They can take that part of their trip out of their timeline and stop in while they're waiting for their bags." The Liquor Library is believed to be the first airport liquor store in The the country that is not duty-free, said Worthington, who also is president of the Molasky Group of Companies. Occupying 1,400 square feet near the escalators leading from the D gates | 26 NOVEMBER 2012 | to the baggage claim in Terminal 1, the Liquor Library went vertical maximize its shelf space and uses a to library motif dressed like series of ladders to allow clerks to reach Worthington said. the highest spots. pervades faux the store, with dark wooden floors and staff librarians, into McCarran often meant to 11 p.m. and is expected to create about 20 part-time and full-time jobs, he said. focus Worthington said the store would on offering high-end wines, spirits and craft beers, but it also will include more budget-friendly liquors in addition to cigars, sodas and other convenience store items. "Our product selection is a little more discerning because we only have 1,400 square feet," he said. "We will also have price points from the low end, with value-oriented wines in the neighborhood of $10 or $11." In the works for more than two years, the store originally was to be built and operated by Lee's Discount Liquor, but the company lost the opportunity when it contract, which This year, county officials looking to get something back from the state said they would have taken even $25 million paid in $5 million increments over five years. the governor's office, the county sued in June. A few weeks ago, however, sources agreement. Now, all that remains is for the two sides to sign the deal. "taking," but didn't do anything until after a 2011 decision by the Nevada Supreme Court in relation to another lawsuit against the state, this one filed by the now-defunct Clean Water Coalition. The CWC, as it was known, had banked When that failed to gain approval from $62 million over several years to be used to help fund an $860 million return- said county and state officials came to multijurisdictional CWC lost support for the project and all but dissolved in 2009, state officials looking to balance their budget took that $62 million. In the summer of 2011, however, Nevada's Supreme Court said the state had no right to create special laws for the collection of taxes; had the state taken County Manager Don Burnette would not talk about specifics of the potential deal, but said "we've had lots of progress and are encouraged about the state of negotiations." Clark County officials the state lawmakers diverted about $102.5 million to the state in 2009 by taking portions of the county's property period. County officials groused about the claimed money from all 17 of Nevada's counties, it might have gotten away with it. In turn, that forced Clark County to take another look at the state's 2009 taxes and other revenue over a two-year money grab: the state only took from want to work together, you can avoid litigation and come to a resolution that helps everyone involved." Clark and Washoe counties. The county believed it could make the same legal argument — that the state singled out those counties — and force the state to return the money. In June 2011, Commissioner Steve Sisolak made a formal request for a refund. To avoid a court fight, Clark County and state officials began negotiating in late 2011. When no deal had been flow pipeline into Lake Mead. When the made by mid-2012, Clark County filed a lawsuit claiming the state owed it about $100 million. Sisolak said he couldn't wait for the agreement to be finalized. "It will give the Legislature a chance to move forward with its budget and gives the county a sense of where we're at with our own budget," he said. "(The interchange) is definitely needed to reduce congestion at the airport and will create needed jobs. "It just goes to show that when people failed to begin construction by a Dec. 30, 2011, deadline. The requires WELCOME TO VEGAS: The Liquor Library, at McCarran International Airport, is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is believed to be the first nonduty-free liquor store at an airport in the country. COURTESY 15 percent of the store's gross revenues be paid to the Clark County government, was awarded in February to the Liquor Library. outlet The airport location is the first retail for the Liquor Library, and although no plans for expansion are in the works, the company is exploring other opportunities within McCarran, said Haase, who operates a chain of convenience stores and is president of The store will be open daily from Burnett Haase Construction. 13