Bussey presented the tribe's plans to the Manistee County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. She told commissioners the tribe is excited about the project, but at least one commissioner had concerns about a potential tax burden the project could create. Tribal members owning homes on the property will not pay property taxes, and the tribe will also be exempt from paying taxes on the property. While the Manistee Public Schools will initially receive extra federal and state funding for the anticipated influx of Native American children living in tribal housing and attending local public schools, Mezeske said that funding may not always be available. The loss of property tax dollars could affect the schools, he said.
Plans call for some housing units to be complete by the end of the year.
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