Council balks at casino expansion price tag
Two years into construction of a $250 million expansion at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise approached Tribal Council Oct. 26 requesting permission to borrow an additional $50 million for the project — and council members were not pleased.
Tribe purchases casino-adjacent property
Tribal Council unanimously approved a $3.4 million land purchase in the Painttown Community during its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Tribe asks for new BIA superintendent
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is asking the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to give it a new agency superintendent following a unanimous vote from Tribal Council Sept. 3.
Cherokee seeks to amend election ordinances
The Cherokee Tribal Council is likely to vote this week on proposed changes to several sections of the tribe’s election ordinance.
Banishment law changes considered in Cherokee
Tribal Council will consider a pair of ordinances proposing changes to the tribe’s banishment laws during its March 5 meeting, and with discussions held during the Jan. 9 Tribal Council meeting and a Feb. 26 work session in the rearview, a final vote is likely.
Proposed ordinance aims to ensure transparency for tribal boards
Tribal Council is considering an ordinance change that would require the tribe’ various boards and committees to publicly televise or stream their meetings.
Tribal Council approves $4 million Balsam West loan
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians hopes to earn more than $1 million over 10 years by extending a $4 million loan to broadband provider Balsam West, of which it is a 50 percent owner.
Tribal Council passes term limits for casino board members
After nearly an hour of debate, Tribal Council voted unanimously last week to place term limits on members of the two boards that oversee tribal gaming operations.
Tribal employees to see 7 percent raise
Christmas will be extra sweet this year for tribal employees following Tribal Council’s vote to enact a 7 percent cost-of-living raise retroactive to the start of the fiscal year Oct. 1. Employees will start receiving their new salary as well as retroactive pay at the next payday Dec. 20.
Tribal Council kills resort proposal
A $30 million deal to bring a story-themed resort to Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians-owned land in Sevier County, Tennessee, will not go forward following a unanimous vote from Tribal Council Dec. 5 to kill a resolution Principal Chief Richard Sneed submitted in October.
