Swinomish taxes fund local programs

A tribal view —

 

April 12, 2022



The past seven years have transformed the relationship between the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Skagit County and local tax districts like the La Conner School District, Fire District 13 and the La Conner Regional Library. As the Swinomish Senate prepares to announce its 2022 voluntary contributions to these partners, this is a good time to reflect on their importance to our shared community and all that we have achieved together.

History could have turned out very differently. After a 2014 federal court decision removed close to a thousand on-Reservation properties from the County’s tax rolls, the County and local tax districts faced multi-million dollar budget deficits and the threat of bankruptcy. But rather than allow crisis to drive a wedge between our communities, Swinomish, the County and tax districts found common ground. They entered into joint cooperative agreements that helped keep the school, firehouse and library doors open – and laid the foundation for flourishing partnerships.

Through these agreements, the Tribe’s 2015-2022 contributions to local tax districts exceed $7 million. Pre-2014, property tax revenues could be re-distributed throughout the entire county and state. By contrast, the Tribe’s contributions (funded by a use and occupancy tax on privately owned homes built on leased Swinomish trust lands) ensure that local tax dollars are re-invested in the local community.

By the end of this year, the Tribe will have contributed more than $4.7 million to La Conner schools, $1.6 million to Fire District 13, $1.06 million to the La Conner library (including $850,000 for the construction of the new La Conner-Swinomish Library) and $156,000 to Medic 1.

These contributions have partially or fully funded new ambulances, a school bus, after-school programs, stadium improvements, bleachers, a new roof for the high school gym and much more.

In addition to all of this, Tribal tax revenues help fund police services for all Reservation residents, air and water quality protection throughout the Reservation and other government services.

Reflecting the Tribe’s commitment to education, Swinomish also provides the La Conner School District with thirteen fully-funded paraprofessionals (one for each grade) who work with any student in need, Tribal and non-Tribal alike.

The Swinomish people have lived and thrived in local lands and waters since time immemorial, yet this connection to the past only strengthens our resolve to protect the future. But in this interconnected world, we cannot protect future generations without celebrating and supporting our neighbors. Swinomish is proud to support local schools, firefighters and libraries. By working together, our communities can ensure a brighter future for our children, our children’s children and many generations to come!

Wilbur, kuts bat soot, is a Swinomish Senator and Tax Committee chair. He lives on the Swinomish Reservation.

 

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