Officials in Escambia County, Alabama, say the Poarch Creek Band of Indians owes taxes on its gaming facilities.

The county is citing the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which restricts the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934. The Poarch Band didn't gain federal recognition until 1984.

The county claims the decision means the tribe's gaming facilities aren't on trust land. The Wind Creek Casino would have an assessed value of $1.68 million alone, the county's tax assessor said.

If the casinos aren't on trust land, the tribe says it will have to close them. But county officials say they aren't interested in going that route.

“Our position is not to shut the casino down. The only thing we’ve asked for is tax revenue. We could have a compact with the state. It would be a PILT (payment in lieu of taxes) and that would be my preference," David Stokes, the chairman of the county commission, said at a meeting, The Brewton Standard reported.

Get the Story:
Taxes still in debate; Commissioner questions attorney motives (The Brewton Standard 5/16)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Let voters decide on Poarch Creek gaming machines (5/3)