UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A system of checks and balances almost put a stop to next week's scheduled vote of the proposed Partnership Plan between the Oneida Indian Nation and Oneida County.

Tuesday afternoon, the Oneida County Ways and Means Committee held a special meeting with the lawyer who represents both Oneida and Madison Counties. After more than two hours in executive session, Republican Majority Leader David Wood submitted modifications to the plan that would have sent it back to Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.

However, those modifications were subsequently voted down by the committee members.

So what does this all mean? As of now, the Partnership Plan will be on the agenda of next Wednesday's meeting.

The attorney who represents the county in lawsuits against the Oneida Indian Nation says until an agreement is approved he will still fight the cases.

"It is up to the county whether they want to settle or not," said Attorney Dave Schraver. "And I am bound to abide by their decision if they choose to settle."

If the Oneida County Board of Legislators approves this Partnership Plan, the lawsuits against the Oneida Indian Nation, and their attempt to put land into a federal trust will go away.

Schraver says despite that, he will still represent Madison County in their lawsuit against the Nation to put more than 4,000 acres of land into trust in Madison County

Schraver says, to date, his firm has received $9 million to fight the Oneida Indian Nation, dating back to 1997.

He says every penny of that has come from the State of New York.