Choctaw tribe offers impact fee

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- As reported by the Mississippi Press: "The leader of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws told the Jackson County Board of Supervisors that the tribe is willing to pay a four-percent impact fee to affected local governments if it opens a casino in the county.

"Choctaw Chief Beasley Denson said the impact fee would generate between $7 million and $7.5 million for Jackson County in each of the first five years the casino is in operation. Denson said the fee is equal to local taxes paid by casinos in Harrison and Hancock counties.

"The Choctaw tribe proposed almost two years ago building a casino and resort on 100 acres of land it owns on Miss. 57 near Interstate 10. The proposal includes an 1,100-room hotel, theater, fitness center, 400-seat buffet and a casino with more than 2,300 slot machines.

"However, Stan Flint, a consultant with Gulf Coast Businesses for Fair Play, said the proposed impact fee has already been struck down by federal courts.

"...Supervisors questioned whether the tribe could negotiate with the county, as the county is a political subdivision of the state.

"The Bureau of Indian Affairs has to approve the tribe's application before it can open a casino in Jackson County. If the application is approved, the tribe has to negotiate a compact with the state's governor to open the casino. The compact lays out the fees the tribe will have to pay to local and state governments for infrastructure..."