Augusta votes to accept Oneida Nation funding

DAN GUZEWICH

AUGUSTA — The town has accepted the county’s money offer as compensation for the presence of tax-free Oneida Indian Nation land within its boundaries.

The town board voted 3-1 last week to join with the City of Sherrill and Village of Vernon to take the county’s deal. Augusta’s payment will be about $107,500 a year. The formula pays a little more than $53 for each resident counted in 2010 Census to make up for sales tax, property taxes and other fees the tribe will not be paying.

There are no provisions for changing the calculation in the future, and nor does the agreement have an expiration date.

The agreements still need approval from the Oneida County Board of Legislators. The lawmakers next meeting is June 11.