Grand Traverse County Administrator Tom Menzel will ask county commissioners next Wednesday (July 6) to drop a federal appeal of a decision that granted trust status to 12 acres of property owned by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

The county has challenged the trust status of "Parcel 80" - located in Acme Township near Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel - since 2013. Properties placed into trust are removed from county tax rolls. In a memo to commissioners Wednesday, Menzel noted that three years of fighting the trust status has still not produced a resolution, and that the appeal remains in the fact-finding stage. Menzel said that "while it may have prudent at the time to pursue these legal actions, we are seeking to build a good working relationship with the Tribe leadership and see this legal action as a barrier to good cooperation."

Menzel continued: "Therefore, I am recommending that the county withdraw this legal action and to work towards other collaborative solutions whereby our goals can be jointly achieved."

Menzel said he conferred with Acme Township Supervisor Jay Zollinger about dropping the appeal, and that Zollinger concurred with the recommendation. "The county will work on future issues by developing mutually beneficial agreements that support the goals of each of the entities and the community as a whole," Menzel said.

If the resolution is approved by commissioners, county legal counsel will formally notify the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Michigan Agency, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, and Acme Township about its decision to drop the appeal.