TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NOT ALLOW COUNTY BED TAX IN AKWESASNE

“Franklin County will refrain from attempting to collect the county ‘bed tax’ from two establishments affiliated with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Territory,” the Malone Telegram reported on Sunday.

County Treasurer Bryon Varin’s comments came in the wake of a public statement by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council declaring that lodging establishments within the Territory of Akwesasne are not subject to county collection efforts.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council has made it abundantly clear to Franklin County officials that we will not allow them to collect the County Bed Tax from businesses in the Territory of Akwesasne. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has adopted its own Room Occupancy Fee Ordinance that already covers establishments located within the Tribe’s jurisdiction. The Tribe believes the County’s efforts to impose taxation or regulation of businesses on tribal land is not only unlawful, it creates an undue economic burden that is harmful to our community’s economic development and enterprises. Further, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s revenue sharing that is provided to Franklin County should be more than adequate as a payment in lieu of such taxes.

It all started with an article that was published in the Plattsburgh Press-Republican on March 30, 2016 titled, “State delay roadblock for Franklin Co. bed-tax collection.” It referenced efforts by the County Treasurer to collect a 5 percent fee from overnight guests. The article prompted the Tribe to make the above statement, and then Varin’s response, which seems to resolve the situation. The Telegram reported, “Varin said Friday the county would not be looking to collect the county bed tax from the establishments affiliated with the tribe due to the legal complications and ongoing land claims.”