Lake County commissioners say the state should pay the county for law enforcement services on tribal lands. A judge ruled earlier this month that the state isn’t required to do so.
Lake County commissioners Monday sent a letter to Gov. Greg Gianforte reiterating that the county will no longer oversee felony cases on the reservation.
Commissioners issued a resolution to withdraw from the decades-old agreement with the state and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe earlier this year.
State law requires Gov. Gianforte to recognize the decision by Nov. 26. The state will eventually take over law enforcement services.
County commissioners have long argued that the county doesn’t have the tax base to pay for law enforcement on tribal lands.
Lawmakers this year passed a law allocating $2.5 million annually to Lake County, but Gov. Gianforte vetoed the bill.
Gianforte’s office says it will “work with stakeholders to find the best path forward.” CSKT declined to comment.
