The city of Beloit could soon get an ordinance that would make an update in the way the city gets revenue ahead of any final approvals regarding the Ho-Chunk Nation’s casino project.
Beloit City Council is being urged by city staff to annul an ordinance that was first approved in 2002. The ordinance was related to the receipt and disbursement of funds from the currently inoperational plan regarding a Beloit-based tribal casino project of the Bad River Band and St. Croix Chippewa tribe. Unfortunately, the casino project was unsuccessful after the so-called land-to-trust status application got rejected by the administration of former President George H.W. Bush.
Finance Director Eric Miller sent a written request to city councilors, claiming that the ordinance is not only too restrictive but also outdated. If the ordinance is annulled, the city of Beloit would rely on the already existing one’s language when it comes to the point of approving future budgets and accepting future revenue.
According to Sarah Millard Lock, the Strategic Communications Director of Beloit, the ordinance change does not affect the Ho-Chunk casino project that received federal approval in April 2020 and is currently being reviewed by Governor Tony Evers.
Proposed Casino Will Bring Fresh Money to the City of Beloit
As explained by Ms. Millard Lock, the city council is now being approached with a request to bring changes to the ordinance before proceeding further with any potential casino approvals. The Beloit council’s review of the ordinance change would be the first reading. After that, the item is set to be laid over for action at another council meeting.
Usually, the City Council holds a closed session at which a potential collective bargaining agreement is discussed.
A CasinoGamesPro previously reported, the gaming and entertainment project unveiled by the Ho-Chunk Nation for Beloit received bipartisan support by the state and federal lawmakers in April 2020. In mid-April, the Bureau of Indian Affairs gave the nod to the casino project, which was then sent forward to Governor Tony Evers, who was supposed to determine whether the project is allowed or not. The federal approval received by the Ho-Chunk Nation at the time was considered a major step forward for the city of Beloit. The possible addition of the venue could bring around 1,500 jobs in the region, and at the time it starts operation, the casino is expected to boost the economy of the city.
Beloit’s economy has been facing some difficulties lately, so the construction of the casino project has been literally seen as light in the tunnel. The development of the proposed project would not only open some new jobs but would hopefully attract more tourists who will help the area by bringing a fresh money flow, too.
