|
|
|
|
|
The Roseburg News-Review---January 10, 2007
"The simple fact is governments do not pay taxes," Shaffer said. "When land goes into tribal government ownership, it is removed from the tax rolls, the same as when cities, counties, state and federal government take ownership of land."
However, the Cow Creek tribe chose to donate more than $1.1 million to Douglas County organizations in 2006.
This is more than six times what was lost to Douglas County in property taxes when the tribe removed land from the tax rolls.
The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians donated over $1.1 million to charity in 2006 beyond what it is required to give by agreement with the state, according to tribal chairwoman Sue Shaffer.
While the amount of money the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation gives in grants is publicly known, the exact amount of the tribe’s charitable giving is not, said Shaffer
"Our feeling has always been that we do what we do because it is the right thing to do, and that we give with the generosity of heart," said Shaffer.
Shaffer capped the foundation’s grant awards ceremony Tuesday by breaking with the long-standing philosophy of not announcing the tribe’s nonmandated charitable giving.
Douglas County organizations received a total of $1,126,276 from the tribe in non-mandated charitable donations in 2006.
Shaffer compared that to the $155,000 she said was lost to the county in property tax revenues when the tribe removed from the tax rolls by putting property into tribal trust.
"The simple fact is governments do not pay taxes," Shaffer said. "When land goes into tribal government ownership, it is removed from the tax rolls, the same as when cities, counties, state and federal government take ownership of land."
The tribe is required by law to donate 6 percent of its revenues to charity, which is done through the foundation in twice-yearly grant disbursements.
Shaffer and Carol McKinney, assistant to the foundation’s board, said after the meeting that the tribe’s charitable spending included $50,000 to Roseburg High School for a school resource officer.
The tribe also gives $7,500 three times a year to combat hunger in Douglas County, and has donated $50,000 to the Boys and Girls Club to cover operating costs and utilities, among other contributions.