Local Indian Gaming Grant Application Period Opens

Updated 2/16/06

AUBURN, CALIF. -- Placer County's Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (LCBC) will begin accepting applications today for grants to local government agencies to mitigate the effects of tribal gaming.

The grant funds will come from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund established by the state and are based on an assessment on tribal gaming machines that were in place prior to 1999. In Placer County, grant funding this year is expected to total about $470,000. The 2005 grant total was $383,000.

Applications and additional information are available on the Placer County web site Agencies may also call the Placer County Executive Office at 530-889-4042. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on March 24, 2006.

The LCBC, in conjunction with the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC), will recommend to the State Controller's Office on what applications should be awarded grants. Priorities for funding have been established by the state, and include such things as law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, environmental impacts, youth programs, health, water supplies, waste disposal and roads. The County, its cities, and special districts within the County affected by tribal gaming are eligible to apply for grants.

On Feb. 8, during the LCBC's first meeting of 2006, Roseville Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Rockholm was elected chairman. Other committee members include Placer County Supervisors Robert Weygandt and Bruce Kranz; Rocklin council member Brett Storey, who served as the 2005 chairman; Lincoln Mayor Ray Sprague; UAIC Tribal Chairperson Jessica Tavares; Julie Huff, the UAIC Tribal Vice Chairperson who was elected as LCBC Vice Chair in 2005; and Howard Dickstein, LCBC alternate member, and counsel to the UAIC.