17.2.25.040 Findings

The Council hereby finds and declares that:

(a) San Ildefonso Services, LLC ("SIS, LLC") was chartered by the Pueblo under tribal law as a single member limited liability company wholly owned by the Pueblo; and

(b) SIS, LLC owns and operates two businesses within Pueblo lands commonly referred to as the Totavi and White Rock Convenience Stores and Gas Stations ("C-Stores"); and

(c) The Council transferred ownership and operation of the C-Stores to SIS, LLC, effective July 1, 2017, pursuant to the, "Act to Transfer Ownership and Operation of C-Stores to San Ildefonso Services, LLC", dated June 21, 2017; and

(d) Since the acquisition of the C-Stores, SIS, LLC has endeavored to improve the operations and profitability of the C-Stores; and

(e) On June 6, 2018, the Council formally approved a subsidy for the benefit of SIS, LLC in the amount of $0.06 for every gallon of gasoline sold in the C-Stores ("Subsidy") pursuant to Council Resolution No. SI-R18-011, titled "Act Approving Tax Subsidy to San Ildefonso Services, LLC" ("Subsidy Act"); and

(f) the Subsidy Act was subsequently extended and restated on October 14, 2019, but has since expired; and

(g) SIS, LLC has requested that the Subsidy be restated and continue in force for a five-year period, effective on June 1, 2021, and expiring on May 31, 2026, to reduce costs of gasoline in order to make upgrades to the fuel pumps and the C-Stores; and

(h) The Council has determined that it is in the Pueblo's best interests to support SIS, LLC and its operation of the C-Stores by extending the Subsidy in the amount of $0.06 for every gallon of gasoline sold in the C-Stores for a five-year period beginning on June 1, 2021 and expiring on May 31, 2026, and has identified that such subsidy could be paid from revenues generated by the Pueblo's $0.17 per gallon fuel tax.