Transit Manager's Toolkit

Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template

Instructions:

The Tribal and transit system leadership are advised to carefully read all elements of this template and edit to reflect their local policies and practices. The items in red should be customized.

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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE _________ (insert name of Tribe) ___________ AND GOVERNING BOARD AND THE ________________ (insert name of city or county __________________

WHEREAS, the ____________ (insert name of Tribe)_____________ is a federally recognized Indian Tribe having certain inherent powers and attributes of sovereignty and jurisdiction as recognized in federal and Tribal law and court decisions; and

WHEREAS, the territory of the _________________(insert name of territory) _________________ is located in the State of _________(insert name of state)__________ and citizens of the ___________(insert name of Tribe) ___________ residing in the _________(insert name of Tribal location)__________ Indian Country located in  ___________(insert name of city or county)______________ are also citizens of the State of _________(insert name of state) __________, pursuant to 8 U.S.C Section 1401(B); and

WHEREAS, There exists an independent relationship between the government of the ________(insert name of Tribe) _________, and the government of the City/County of ___________(insert name of city of county) ___________ and Governing Board; and

WHEREAS, the executive branches of the City/County of ___________(insert name of city of county) ____________and Governing Board (“City/County of __________(insert name of city of county) ___________”) and the __________(insert name of Tribe) ____________ (the “_________________”) have issued executive orders instructing agencies of the City/County of ________(insert name of city of county) _________ and __________(insert name of Tribe) ___________ to develop an appropriate Memorandum of Understanding to address how each such agency shall interact, coordinate and work with each other; and 

WHEREAS, the City/County of _________(insert name of city of county) __________ and Governing Board, and ________(insert name of Tribal Transit System)_________, a department of _________(insert name of Tribe) __________ desire to work together in coordination and cooperation with each other in government-to-government relationship for the benefit of both parties;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to formalize the terms and conditions _________(insert name of Tribe) __________ and the City/County of __________(insert name of city of county) __________will employ to effectively provide transportation services to the citizens of _________(insert name of Tribe and city or county) ___________.

II. CONTACT PERSONS

Unless otherwise stated, the appropriate contact person for the City/County of _______(insert name of city or county) __________ and Governing Board for matters pertaining to this Memorandum of Understanding shall be:

____________(insert name of contact person) _____________

Mayor

City/County of _________(insert name of city of county) __________

1234 Street

City, State, zipcode

Phone number

Mayorsoso@somewhere.org

The appropriate contact person(s) for the ______(insert name of Tribal Transit System) _________ shall be:

Director name

Director, Company name

Tribe’s Name

1234 Industrial Road

somewhere, MS 39350

(601) 650-1234; Fax (601) 650-5678

directorsoso@somewhere.org

The City/County of ________(insert name of city or county) _________ shall contact the above-designated individual(s), or successor(s), for ______(insert terms)_________, and ________(insert name of Tribe) _________ shall contact the above-designated individual, or successor, for the City/County of ________(insert city or county)___________ when either party has any questions related to this Memorandum of Understanding.

III. IMPLEMENTATION, OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. IMPLEMENTATION

This Memorandum of Understanding shall be immediately effective upon the signature of the parties hereto.

B. OBJECTIVES

The parties hereto agree to providing residents of the City/County of ________(insert name of city or county) _________ daily access to transportation to and from community medical facilities, educational institutions and social activity sites that they currently are not able to travel to. _______(insert name of Tribal transit service) _________ has the ability and the means to enhance and improve the quality of life to the citizens of _______ (insert name of Tribe and city or county __________ by providing mobility through coordinated, safe and affordable transportation.   

C. RESPONSIBILITIES
1.________(insert name of responsible party)_________ and the City/County of _______(insert name of city or county) ________ agree as follows:

a. That ________(insert name of Tribal Transit service) ___________ shall provide transportation services to the residents of _____(insert name of Tribe and city or county) _______ for a minimum of _____(insert number) ______ hours per day, _______(insert number) _________ days per week pursuant to the attached Route consisting of one (1) page and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”. The parties further agree that trips outside the above posted time period will be discussed in advance to ensure that residents of ___________(insert name of Tribe and city or county) ____________ can be accommodated.

b. That _________(insert name of Tribal transit system) ___________ shall provide these services for a twelve (12) month period beginning on or about ________(insert month and year) _________ and ending on or about _________(insert month and year) __________.

c. That the ________(insert payor) _________ shall pay the sum of $______(insert dollar amount) _________ to be billed by ______(insert billing method) _______ and paid on a monthly basis for said ____(insert number)_____ month period.

d. That the parties agree that, upon written agreement, the period for providing transportation services can be renewed as well as expanded on an annual basis for a sum to be negotiated for said services.

V.  SOVEREIGNTY

The parties hereto have entered into this Memorandum of Understanding for the sole purpose of enhancing government-to-government cooperation between the _________(insert name of Tribe) __________ and the __________(insert name of city or county) ___________. The Memorandum of Understanding does not, and shall not be construed to change, enlarge, diminish, or waive the sovereignty or jurisdiction of either party or the rights, privileges or immunities of either party or any person. In addition, this Memorandum of Understanding does not, and shall not be construed o create any right to administrative or judicial review, or any other right, benefit or responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable by any person against the executive branch of the _________(insert name of Tribe) __________, the __________(insert name of city or county) ___________, their officers or employees, or any other person, except as expressly agreed to herein.

VI. AMENDMENTS

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended in writing as mutually agreed upon by the parties.

VII. TERMINATION

This Memorandum of Understanding may be terminated by either party by giving sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other. 

VIII. EXECUTION

The parties agree that this Memorandum of Understanding shall be submitted to both the executive branches of the City/County of __________(insert name of city or county) ____________ and _________(insert name of Tribe) __________, and that nothing contained in this Memorandum of Understanding or any amendments thereto shall become effective until executed both by the Chief of the ________(insert name of Tribe) __________ and the Mayor of ________(insert name of city or county) __________.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, HEREBY AGREE TO THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY/COUNTY OF ________(insert name of city or county) ___________ AND ITS GOVERNING BOARD AND THE ________(insert name of Tribe) _________.

TRIBE’S NAME

_______________________________                             ___________________________

 JOHN DOE, TRIBAL CHIEF                                                             DATE                                               

CITY/COUNTY OF ________(insert name of city or county) _________ AND GOVERNING BOARD

________________________________________           __________________________ 

JOHN DOE, MAYOR                                                                   DATE                               

CITY/COUNTY OF________________________________

EXHIBIT “A”

Replace with any exhibit(s) you would like to include

Updated September 18, 2025