Clallam County approves payment-in-lieu agreement with Quileute Tribe for trust land in Forks

Clallam County commissioners on July 15 approved a three‑party agreement with the Quileute Tribe and the City of Forks that establishes payments in lieu of property taxes and a multi‑step dispute resolution process for tribal trust land within Forks.

The agreement sets a process for assessing the property by normal county assessment procedures and for the tribe to make payments equivalent to the assessed property taxes; it also specifies mediation followed by arbitration before JAMS and limits appeals in tribal court. The county said the arrangement is intended to compensate taxing districts for lost property tax revenue when land is taken into federal trust.

County staff described the measure as distinct from prior local agreements because it ties payments to the jurisdictional assessment process and establishes an enforceable dispute resolution path. Jay Reno, county civil attorney, said the tribe initiated the proposal and that county attorneys worked with tribal counsel to align the language with state and federal law. Dee Bowden, identified in the meeting as the county’s chief civil attorney, reviewed the draft and worked with the tribe’s counsel during negotiations.

Supporters of the agreement told commissioners they saw value in a clear, enforceable process. “The tribe did not have to do this at all. This was their willingness and mostly their idea to come to the table,” Reno said during the discussion. Commissioners asked staff whether other local taxing districts such as the City of Forks, the assessor and treasurer had been consulted; staff said they had been briefed.

Some public commenters urged caution and asked that the item be deferred to the Charter Review Commission for additional study. Ed Bowen of Conway said the county had “put the cart before the horse” and recommended the Charter Review Commission consider the matter because local government processes and responsibilities merited additional review. John Worthington, a Sequim resident, raised concerns about land‑use implications and whether the agreement would create economic advantages for the tribe that could affect non‑tribal taxpayers.

Formal action: the board moved, seconded and voted to approve the agreement during the meeting. Commissioners called for the motion and the board recorded the action as passed.

Why it matters: transferring land into federal trust removes it from the county property tax rolls; this agreement is intended to ensure taxing districts receive payments equivalent to those taxes and to provide a targeted dispute resolution route that avoids protracted federal litigation.

What’s next: the agreement will be implemented by county staff and the parties; staff said the City of Forks and county taxing offices have been informed and that the mediation/arbitration steps are designed to provide timely resolution if disputes arise.