By Lindsey Doi

NORTH BEND, Ore. -- The legal battle between the city of North Bend and the Coquille indian tribe finally came to a close Wednesday.

A mediator announced both parties have agreed to a long-term resolution.

Last October, the city of North Bend filed a lawsuit against the Coquille Indian Tribe for failing to pay for city services at the Mill Casino and Hotel. However, now that lawsuit has been dropped as both parties have agreed to a settlement and signed a consent decree.

The consent decree provides a ten-year agreement between the city and the tribe, with the tribe making annual payments that increase by 5.25 percent each year.

"There's been tension in the community, and so today we had this joint conference to drive a stake in the ground and say we're gonna work together as neighbors in the future," said Judge Michael Hogan.

The city will continue to provide police and fire protection, as well as water and sewer services for the specified annual fee, but the tribe will no longer collect a hotel room tax on behalf of the city and can instead substitue its own levy under Indian legislative authority.

"For the tribe, the issue of sovereignty is very important. And for the city, to be compensated for the services they provide is absolutely right, and the tribe has an obligation to do that," said Judge Hogan.

As part of the agreement, the tribe will also pay the $275,000 it owed the city for services last year. Judge Hogan says everyone is pleased with the resolution. Without it, he says both parties would likely face a lengthy and costly legal battle.

In a written statement, the Coquille Tribal Council Chair said, "We're pleased to have come to an agreement that restores the government-to-government relationship between the tribe and the city of North Bend."

It seems now both parties just want to move on as the Mayor of North Bend said, "We have provided the Coquille Indian Tribe with public safety services for the past 15 years. We will continue to do so under a new contract for services and put the legal dispute behind us."

Now both parties say they're looking forward to working together and revitalizing the region's economy at the Mill Casino and Hotel, which is the county's second largest employer.