The Bureau of Indian Affairs last week sent notice to affected agencies of a request by the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians, who seek to put 23 acres into trust in Barstow, California to build an off-reservation casino. Although local government, including San Bernardino County, would lose some revenue from putting the land into trust, one Barstow official says his city will more than make up the difference with an agreement with the San Diego-based tribe.
“The economic impact of the casino will far offset the amount of tax money the city would be losing,” he told the Victorville Daily Press. “Between the municipal agreement and economic benefit, it will be far more than the paltry tax money we currently are getting,” Barstow councilman Richard Harpole said last week. The notice asks affected agencies to estimate how much property tax revenue they stand to lose if the tribe’s application is approved.
The tribe proposes to build the $160 million Barstow Casino and Resort.
