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Forest County Potawatomi Give City, County More Money

WISCONSIN – As reported by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: "The Forest County Potawatomi on Monday announced what could be a one-time boost in casino payments to the city and the county, with each getting about $4.9 million under a revenue-sharing deal with the tribe.

"That amounts to an increase of slightly more than $1 million each to Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee over the payouts last year.

"Local officials struggling with tight finances greeted the extra cash as a windfall.

"…The joy could be short-lived; a cut in local casino payments next year could largely offset the increase.

"The boost this year was an anomaly, arising mostly because of the tribe's decision to withhold temporarily the $43.6 million it owed the state this year under terms of its gambling compact, Potawatomi spokesman Ken Walsh said. That in turn artificially boosted the net revenue figure the local payments are based upon, he said.

"The tribe is in negotiations with the state on revising that 2003 deal, pushing for a lower annual payment because of two court cases that forced the tribe to delay expansions. But the state has not forgiven that debt…"

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