Scott County Commissioner Barbara Marschall cited concerns of a diminished tax base in her opposition to expanding land trusts.
Debate resurfaces as a Shakopee tribe seeks to expand holdings.
For 10 years, Scott County Commissioner Barbara Marschall has considered throwing away a file sitting on her bookshelf.
It’s full of information about the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and its ongoing mission to buy land and put it into trust, a federal protection that allows the tribe to keep it forever, tax-free.
It’s a topic that led to a contentious debate a decade ago between the tribe, Scott County and Shakopee and Prior Lake. And now, it’s come up again.
The tribe is pursuing trust status for more land. Marschall, armed with her file, has come out in opposition, echoing community concerns about a diminished tax base and rapid expansion of the tribe’s land holdings. It’s one example of a conflict that’s popped up nationwide, at times pitting tribal interests against local communities. Please read more from the StarTribune