OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A Washington state Native American tribal group reached an agreement to end a federal lawsuit and begin sharing millions of dollars in sales tax receipts generated at a mall bordering its reservation.
The Tulalip Tribes would receive a portion of the state’s sales tax collections this year under a Jan. 8 agreement with the state and Snohomish County, the Everett Herald reports.
The revenue could grow up to $30.2 million in 2025, officials said.
The tribe expects to spend $35 million to design and build a 48-bed civil commitment center in the county before tax revenues are shared, officials said.
The dispute between the tribe and the county focused on who could rightfully collect sales tax at Quil Ceda Village shopping center near Marysville, officials said.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the tribes, the county and the state is intended to bring a settlement to a five-year federal lawsuit over who can rightfully collect sales tax at Quil Ceda Village.
The Legislature must first give Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee authority to negotiate sales tax sharing compacts with federally recognized tribes.
The state House and Senate are expected to begin hearings Thursday on bills empowering the governor to act.
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