Acceptance of 2% tribal gaming allocations from the Grand Traverse Band (GTB) of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians was called into question this week by a member of the county Board of Commissioners.
District No. 3 commissioner Will Bunek questioned the constitutionality of practice, which has been in place for many years.
On Jan. 30 the GTB announced 2% awards to local organizations totaling $129,688.
Tuesday night, commissioners voted unanimously to accept a $59,545 award to the county for the purchase of new consoles for the county dispatch center.
The GTB also approved 2% awards to Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN) food pantry ($57,800) and $12,343 awarded VFW Post 7731 for repairs to the hall on M-204. However, awards made to local non-profits were questioned by Bunek.
“I voted against LCN at committee because I think it’s unconstitutional,” he said. “We should not be ‘donating’ to these groups and their causes.”
Bunek argued that the county should not accept the money for 501.c3 organizations.
“If we do it for them, what about other groups like the Cedar Rod and Gun Club, Leelanau Cancer Fund or LIFT in Suttons Bay,” he said. “This has been going on way too long and somebody is going to sue us.”
Board chair Steve Yoder said there’s no contract involved.
“It’s not a violation. I don’t see it as a donation from us to them,” Yoder said.
Bunek supported the grant and accepted the county Emergency Management Office for the replacement consoles.
However, he did not follow suit with his fellow commissioners who accepted the LCN award as well as the VFW funding unanimously.
