Tribal Leadership Asks Enterprise Managers to Increase Their Monthly Distributions

By Joe Morey

News Editor

Back in August, the LCO Tribal Governing Board (TGB) sent a letter requesting an increase in monthly distributions from tribal enterprise managers, which included Quick Stop, C-Store, C2, the Landing and the Country Store.

LCO Financial Services and the Sevenwinds Casino are the main revenue generators for the Tribe, and they are also being asked to increase distributions.

LCO Vice Chairman Tweed Shuman said the TGB wants to provide more programs and services to the Membership, and we feel that our businesses need to stay the task and run as efficiently as possible to provide more revenue, which will allow us to do this.

“They’ll do this without affecting wages or revenue,” Shuman noted. He said both tribal gas stations and the Country Store are contributing to the General Fund, and they are sustainable.

Shuman said Big Fish Golf Course and the Landing are both holding their own and the Tribe is not currently funding their operations.

“LCO FS and the casino are both contributing healthy amounts,” Shuman said.

LCO Secretary-Treasurer Bill Trepanier said he wants the enterprises to step it up by increasing distributions and that it shouldn’t come off the backs of our members.

“Some have been operating at status quo, but we believe they can do better,” Trepanier stated. He was confident in some of our recent new hires, such as the Quick Stop manager Jimmy Smith.

The letter to managers states, “As you know, the TGB is working diligently to finalize the Tribe's 2025 budget. Thanks to your vision and steadfast commitment to Retail Enterprises' operations, distributions to the Tribe's budget has become a vital component of the Tribe's operating budget. Your contributions have set the Tribe up for success and helped the TGB plan for increased support to Tribal member benefits and programs.”

The letter also said based on their analysis, an increase request is reasonable to make without any ill effects on any employee benefits, cost of living adjustments, and staffing and retention efforts.

“The TGB is grateful to you and your leadership. We know that we will be able to work collaboratively this upcoming budget year to support Retail Enterprises' business development while also providing essential government services for our citizens,” TGB said to the managers. “Thank you for your commitment to the Tribe and its people. We look forward to the year ahead.”

Chairman Louis Taylor said he acknowledges all the staff as well as management of the tribal enterprises and their incredible work to continue to improve and succeed.

“Your dedication and efforts have been instrumental in driving our success so far, and it’s something we should all take pride in. That said, I believe we have even greater potential as we move into the next year,” Taylor said. “By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and finding ways to work smarter, we can take our performance to the next level and make an even bigger impact. Let’s challenge ourselves to aim higher, push boundaries, and work together to achieve results that will set new benchmarks—not just for our bottom line but for the standard of excellence we bring to everything we do."