A three-page proposed policy for entertaining 2% grant applications to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, was discussed this week by the county board.
Commissioners listened while county administrator Jim Dyer reviewed the document that would formalize a review process for the grant applications available as a result of a court decree.
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB), together with five additional Native American tribes, signed a Consent Judgment in the case of, Tribes v. Engler, Case Number 1:90-CV-611, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. This judgment provides for payment of 2% of the net win “from all class III electronic games of chance. . . to any local units of state government in the immediate vicinity of each tribal casino. . .”
Paragraph 8 of the consent judgment describes how these 2% funds are to be distributed to local government.
It states that “Each tribe shall determine which local unit or units of government shall receive payments and the amounts thereof; provided however, the guidelines governing the tribes in making said determinations shall be based upon compensating said local units of government for governmental services provided to the tribes and for impacts associated with the existence and location of the tribal casino in its vicinity; and provided further, however, that out of said aggregate payment, each local unit of government shall receive no less than an amount equivalent to its share of property taxes that would otherwise be attributed to the class III gaming facility if that site were subject to taxation.”
The county board twice a year considers endorsement of applications for 2% funds. However, there’s been questions about whether the request is meant for a government or non-profit organization.
District No. 3 commissioner Will Bunek has said too much of the 2% allocation funding is going to non-profits when the funding should be used for government entities such as the Suttons-Bay Bingham Fire Department and Suttons Bay Public Schools, to name a few.
Bunek has said he’s not against non-profits receiving funding through 2% allocation, but would like to see more local government costs reimbursed through GTB 2% distributions.
Bunek recently questioned the constitutionality of practice in February, which has been in place for many years.
At Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, Bunek requested that two requests be pulled from the list and voted on separately: a $15,000 request from the Inland Seas Education Association and a $12,000 request from the non-profit housing corporation Home Sweet Home.
The board recommended approval of both application by a 6-1 vote with Bunek opposed.
The following requested were recommended unanimously by the Board of Commissioners:
• Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office, $20,981 for an accident investigation total station
• Parks and Recreation Commission, $18,006 for disc golf course updates and beginner/ putter course at Myles Kimmerly Park
• Probate and Family Court, $18,000 to purchase bikes, helmets, trail and storage mounting kit for the summer activity programs.
• 13th Circuit Court- Child & Family Services, $5,000 for Safe Haven program.
The new process, as proposed, would include a committee review of the grant applications as well as the county administrator before recommendations for full board action.
