The Barstow, California, City Council last month voted 4-1 to update its service agreement with the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe over the tribe’s proposed Barstow Casino and Resort.
The original municipal services agreement (MSA) for police, fire protection, etc. was signed in 2005. The tribe began renegotiating the MSA with the city earlier this year. Based near Needles, California, the tribe owns 40 acres in the city it hopes to put into trust.
Interim Mayor Dr. James Hart said in a statement, “We are honored to work with the tribal team and look forward to Barstow enjoying all the benefits that will come after the casino and resort are built.”
A representative of the tribe told the council that the tribe has an “historic link” with the city, including archaeological evidence.
The tribe will pay half of the city’s new EMS vehicles.
