Re: Kootenai County, tribe pursuing deal to put land in trust/Alecia Warren, Press

Spencer: I find myself shocked and dismayed that the CdA Tribe has been quietly negotiating with the past board of county commissioners to eliminate property taxes from all tribal members’ homes. The original plan advanced by the tribe was that because the tribe contributes so much to the community (even though they are obligated to by their casino compact agreement with the state) their members shouldn’t have to pay any property taxes that provide necessities like road maintenance, ambulance, and other county services. The current plan envisions the county entering into an unlawful scheme whereby the county would cancel the property tax statements prior to them being sent out to tribal members. So, should the Tribe be able to count the casino profit share plan dollars to also allow their members to not pay any property taxes to the local taxing districts like fire and roads?

Question: Is this a good deal for Kootenai County?