The Oneida Nation learned last night at the meeting of the Green Bay Common Council (GBCC) the City of Green Bay voted to end a 15-year intergovernmental service agreement, after 7 years. The initial service agreement was established in 1996 to voluntarily compensate the City for services it provides to trust properties while at the same time recognizing the value of services provided by the Oneida Nation. For 20 years Oneida paid the City for expenses that the City is required to provide by law, regardless of whether or not Oneida offers to pay.
The Oneida Nation had been in this agreement voluntarily and has no legal obligation to pay anything to the GBCC. The value of this agreement is $300,000 annually from the Oneida Nation for City services that still must be provided to all residents in the GBCC regardless where they reside.
Being respectful of the concerns expressed by the GBCC, the Oneida Nation proposed changes which included increased valuations for certain commercial properties, notification regarding land purchases, notification regarding land use plans and proposed changes in land use, and increased communication and cooperation regarding neighborhood peace and safety issues.
Oneida Nation Chairwoman Tina Danforth issued the following statement on the Nation’s website and Facebook:
“Last night we learned the GBCC voted to terminate our intergovernmental agreement for services provided by the City to Oneida property where our reservation boundaries overlap. It is very disheartening that the GBCC has decided to end this agreement. I was on the Oneida Business Committee when this agreement was first established in 1996; it signified the beginning of a collaborative government-to-government relationship after many decades of contention between the Oneida Nation and the GBCC. Unfortunately, the GBCC has decided to walk away from this agreement. The Oneida Nation’s contribution would have resulted in $3 million over the term of the agreement.
After reviewing the State of the City Address, it is apparent Green Bay Mayor Schmitt has priorities that could infuse the economy of our area with forward thinking initiatives. We can’t help but wonder why those initiatives do not include the support of the Oneida Tribe offered through our service agreement.
We will continue to work collaboratively in every way to provide the best quality of life possible for our greater community. We believe there are many different ways we can combine efforts without a service agreement.
With respect to the citizens of the Oneida Nation, our longstanding goal is to recover our original homeland, and we will carry out our goals and pursue land into trust. We are not just a property owner, we are a government. The Oneida Nation has negotiated in good faith and is committed to continue working with the GBCC to address issues of concern.
For nearly 200 years Oneida people have lived here, a place we call home. We have expressed to the GBCC that we are not going anywhere. Neither of our communities are going away and it behooves us to work together in striving for what is best for all residents.
We have built a community that is proud and will continue to be dedicated to our Nation’s values; with a good mind, a good heart and a strong fire.”
