Officials in a small Montana town say they will have to disincorporate the community or declare bankruptcy over an ongoing dispute with the Blackfeet Tribe about water and utility services.

The Flathead Beacon reports that officials in Browning blamed a legal battle with the tribe for the town's dire financial condition in a press release last week. There are unresolved lawsuits from both communities over ownership of the water system.

Blackfeet Tribal Business Council Chairman Harry Barnes says the tribe doesn't want the town to go away but says there are jurisdictional questions between the two groups.

The town's press release calls for the two sides to find a compromise immediately or "the Town of Browning will cease to exist."

Browning Mayor Willie Morris did not return calls from The Beacon.

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