The Karuk Tribe of California has completed state and federal requirements for building a casino and expects to break ground in the spring of 2015 on a million, 500 slot machine casino in Yreka, Siskiyou County.
Besides slots, the casino, located in the northernmost town in California will have eight gaming tables and a restaurant.
In the November 4 election, 55 percent of Siskiyou County in a non-binding referendum said they did not want the casino. The tribe and the county have reached an impasse in negotiating a government-to-government agreement, as provided by state tribal gaming compact, and the issue will now go to arbitration. The tribe in August completed successfully negotiations with the city of Yreka. The tribe calls the county’s demands, “unrealistic expectations of monetary compensation.”
The County is asking for one of two alternatives, an annual payment of $149,480 during the first phase of casino operations, followed by $383,484 once the casino has been operating for several years, or $37,000 per quarter to cover the costs of arrests, with the amount to be renegotiated after the first year.
The tribe prefers that the County prepare period reports of the costs of policing due to extra casino traffic.
A spokesman for the County accuses the tribe of delaying tactics designed to gain an advantage in arbitration.
A year ago the tribe announced its intentions. The California legislature ratified the compact several months ago.
