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California Officials Debate Casino's Future

CHICO, California – As reported by the Chico Press-Enterprise: "A simple vote Tuesday on potentially extending Chico police and fire service to a future Indian casino quickly devolved into a verbal melee among representatives of the city, Butte County and the Mechoopda tribe.

"Chico officials had not expected the discussion to turn into a more than two-hour ordeal. It had been placed on the City Council's consent agenda, which is reserved for quick summary votes of relatively non-controversial items.

"Mechoopda tribe officials previously had approached the city about the possibility of having the Chico police and fire departments provide service to the tribe's planned casino at the junction of Highways 99 and 149, about 15 miles south of the city limits, said City Manager Greg Jones. The council was to vote on giving Jones the authority to begin negotiations with the tribe.

"…Jones said the city would be able to provide adequate service to the casino.

"…A number of things would have to be worked out before any public safety agreement could be ratified. Such things as how much the tribe would pay the city for service, which laws would be enforced on the reservation by Chico police, where arrestees would be taken and by whom they might be tried, and whether the city would establish police and fire substations all would be among the topics of negotiations, Jones said. If the city and the tribe came to an agreement, it would not take effect unless the casino gets final approval…"

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