Shasta County Judge Rules Redding Rancheria 30-Year Service Agreement Illegal

A Shasta County judge has ruled that a 30-year intergovernmental agreement between the Board of Supervisors and the Redding Rancheria, involving law enforcement, fire, and emergency services for the tribe's planned relocation of the Win-River Casino, is illegal due to procedural violations. Judge Stephen Baker found that the county failed to consult key officials such as the sheriff, district attorney, fire chief, and county counsel before approving the contract, which also bypassed the county contracts manual requirements. The agreement, approved in 2023, included a $1.6 million one-time payment and annual payments for services instead of property taxes. Former Supervisor Patrick Jones, who supported the agreement, expressed hope that the ruling will be overturned on appeal, while others pointed to the county incurring significant costs defending the case. The California Land Stewardship Council sued the county in early 2024, leading to the ruling against the agreement. The county has yet to announce whether it will appeal, and a final decision is pending after the required statement of decision is submitted by August 18.