When the Special Distribution Fund (SDF) was established with the tribal compacts in 1999, it was designed in part to reimburse local governments impacted by tribal casinos. And it has certainly done that.

Last week, the Santa Barbara County Indian Gaming Benefits Committee approved more than $1.4 million in SDF grants to assist local governments. The grants for the 2010-11 SDF funding cycle will make it possible for our public agencies to keep our community safe, including ensuring that staffing levels are adequate at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The committee met to review the grant requests received and the members made their decisions based on the criteria outlined for SDF grant sponsorship. As a result, the following grant requests were approved:

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department: $675,000 for funding five deputy sheriff positions

Santa Barbara County Fire Department: $524,000 for a firefighter-paramedic position.

City of Buellton: $165,000 for additional law enforcement services.

City of Solvang: $105,883 for the widening of the Alamo Pintado Bridge.

Although tribal governments are not required by federal law to share revenue with local and state governments, California tribal leaders agreed in 1999 during compact negotiations to contribute to the fund as a good faith attempt to continue their practice of helping communities surrounding tribal reservations.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has always been deeply committed to helping our community and the Special Distribution Fund is just one of many ways we have demonstrated that commitment. We also donate generously to our community through our Santa Ynez Chumash Indians Foundation and we also host a special golf tournament, the Chumash Classic, to raise funds for local charities.

The SDF is particularly important to us because it allows us to partner with county and city representatives to discuss ways to improve our community. Each Indian Gaming Benefit Committee throughout California is composed of representatives from local cities, counties and tribes. Together, the committee members review grants, ensure that funds are allocated according to the priorities established by law and assess the eligibility of applications for grants from local jurisdictions impacted by tribal gaming operations.

The Santa Barbara County Indian Gaming Committee is composed of representatives from Buellton, Solvang, the county and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

Representatives from the tribe are Reginald Pagaling, an enrolled tribal member who serves as the chairman of the committee, and me. Representatives from the county are 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr. City representatives include City Councilwoman Joan Jamieson of Solvang and Mayor Ed Andrisek of Buellton.

I would like to thank all the members of the Santa Barbara County Indian Gaming Benefits Committee — and the staff — for their hard work and dedication in reviewing the SDF grant requests and making decisions. I believe the decisions we made as a team on sponsoring these specific SDF grant requests will go a long way toward helping our community.

Vincent Armenta is the tribal chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.