By Kris Leonhardt
Editor-in-chief
ONEIDA NATION – On Nov. 1, Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill and Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach signed an intergovernmental agreement recognizing the services each of the governments provides.
“At the crux of these agreements is the fact that the Oneida Nation holds trust property which is protected untaxed property,” the Oneida Nation said in a release.
“As a result of our historic treaties, the federal government is responsible to protect our land, resources, assets and other interests forever. Oneida employs more than a thousand non-gaming employees who provide governmental services which supplement the depth of services our community receives at no cost to the local taxpayers.”
The 1988 “Indian Gaming Regulatory Act” allows for the Nation and other tribes to expense revenues to fund local government services.
The governments have an agreement that mitigates costs of the type of services under their direction through a mutually agreed upon cost.
“This agreement kind of again memorializes the great working relationship we have with Brown County and the services that the county provides and services that the Nation provides to both our people on the land,” Hill stated.
“So, we just like to take this opportunity to sign this agreement today marking this great occasion for another 15-year extension. By the time this agreement is finished, it’ll be 30 years that we’ve been working with the county and the nation together and making sure that we have safe and clean and vibrant communities for all of our stakeholders.”
“I think it gives Brown County great pleasure to be here signifying this cooperative agreement and recognition of what our communities do to benefit the well-being and welfare of our residents,” added Streckenbach.
“I know that from the county’s perspective, we enjoy the working relationship that we have with the Oneida Nation. We see working together as a promise going forward, and we recognize that when we can settle our differences and move our community ahead, our communities are much better for that. And oftentimes, it’s important for us to recognize those differences, and then at the same time, find ways to find solutions. In the end, we all benefit.”