GREEN BAY, Wis.- A service agreement between the City of Green Bay and the Oneida Nation has been terminated after a year long dispute.
The Green Bay Common Council voting to end the contract after they claim the tribe is putting too much land in Federal Trust, taking it out of the city's jurisdiction.
The tribe says the sudden decision is one they're sad to see be made.
"I feel really disappointed because we've had such a good relationship with the City of Green Bay over the last couple decades," said Oneida Nations vice chairperson, Melinda Danforth.
The tribe and city relationship hangs in the balance the longer the two sides can't reach an agreement.
"We do not want to go down a path that we're experiencing with other communities about having to go through with litigation, it's expensive for both our communities," said Danforth.
Aldermen say the biggest issue is with the trust land and the tribe acquiring too much city property.
"I think it was a good thing that we did this, that we finally started paying attention to the contract and updated the formula for assessing properties and so on," said District 7 alderman, Randy Scannell.
The mayor of Green Bay agrees with the council's decision to terminate the contract. He says the city needs to be protected from the tribe taking too much property.
"At a minimum we retain control over zoning and tax base that would be important to us," said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.
Both parties are hopeful an agreement can be reached.
"Sometimes it's best that you start over and that's where we're at right now," said Mayor Schmitt.
"We're going to have to look at ways on how we can continue that relationship because we're not going anywhere, they're not going anywhere," said Danforth.
Both parties are planning on meeting in the next two weeks to hopefully discuss a new contract that meets the needs of both the tribe and the city.
