By Joe Morey News Editor
At their weekly meeting on Monday, July 1st, the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board (TGB) approved giving a $500 assistance disbursement to every adult tribal member at least 18 years of age by December 31st, 2024.
The disbursement will begin sometime before the Honor the Earth Powwow and only be given out for 30 days from the day it begins. A further announcement will be made when the disbursement is set to begin.
The $500 disbursement will have to be picked up in person, unless verified that the tribal member is active duty military, hospitalized, in nursing or assisted living or homebound. No checks will be mailed out or be given to any other person than the name on the check.
The motion for the disbursement was made by LCO Vice Chairman Tweed Shuman and seconded by LCO Secretary-Treasurer Bill Trepanier.
In discussion, TGB member Gary “Little Guy” Clause had suggested the amount should be $750, but Trepanier explained that it was the desire of the TGB to continue to do these disbursements but giving out $750 may drain too much from tribal funds.
Trepanier said the previous $300 disbursement in November resulted in 4,568 checks being cashed, and at the $500 amount, $2.5 million is expected to be the cost with an estimated 5,000 checks cashed.
Trepanier said the $750 amount would result in $3.4 million being exhausted from the budget.
The disbursement will fall under the General Welfare Exclusion Act so that it will be non-taxable.