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FY23 budget includes increases for missing persons unit, public safety

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WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer signed into law the Navajo Nation’s Fiscal Year 2023 Comprehensive Budget through Resolution CS-42-22 on Sept. 24, which includes increases in funding to support a missing persons unit, the Proactive Criminal Enforcement Program, earthen dam and windmill repairs, senior centers, capital projects, an energy office, general wage adjustment for Navajo Nation employees, animal control efforts, and more. The comprehensive budget was approved by the 24th Navajo Nation Council on Sept. 8, by a vote of 22-0. With the signing of the budget resolution, the FY2023 fiscal year took effect on Oct. 1.

“The budget for the upcoming fiscal year supports many critical services and needs for the Navajo people and our communities and builds on the progress being made. It also makes additional investments in public safety, services for elders, to help find missing persons, and establishing an energy office that can support more renewable energy initiatives to support energy needs and fight climate change,” Nez said.

He thanked the Navajo Nation council for the general wage adjustment for Navajo Nation employees.

“I thank the Navajo Nation Council for supporting our Nation’s employees with the general wage adjustment to help offset cost-of-living expenses that impact everyone across the country,” Nez said.

He also explained how the Navajo Division of Transportation would be using the money it’s getting.

“As the Navajo Division of Transportation continues to repair roads due to recent heavy rainfall, this budget also delivers more funding to fix many of the damaged earthen dams and windmills in our communities,” Nez said.

The budget provides an additional $500,000 for the Proactive Criminal Enforcement Program, which is composed of K-9 units, the Drug Enforcement Unit, and commissioned police personnel that conduct field operations to uncover and stop or disrupt crimes related to drug use/sales, bootlegging activities, and violent crimes. Last year, Nez also authorized an additional $500,000 to the Navajo Police Department to support the drug enforcement efforts and other public safety operations, which have led to multiple seizures of large quantities of drugs, alcohol, and illegal firearms and the arrests of violent offenders.

During the State of the Navajo Nation Address in July, Nez assured the Navajo people that the Office of the President and Vice President would prioritize funding to cover an anticipated shortfall for benefits and services for Navajo veterans. Based on that commitment, the comprehensive budget includes $2.7 million to cover the shortfall in support of veterans.

“We made a commitment to our Navajo veterans and we have followed through on that commitment with the support of the Council. There will be no funding shortfall for veterans’ services and benefits in the upcoming fiscal year,” Nez said.

The budget resolution also set-aside $20 million for FY2023 under the Navajo Nation’s Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to help address future unmet needs. The budget resolution was approved in its entirety with the exception of line-item vetoes applied to four Conditions of Appropriations that did not meet the statutory requirements to be placed on the appropriation or expenditure.

“As we move forward in the new fiscal year, we extend our appreciation to all of the hardworking Navajo Nation employees who labored many days, weeks, and months to develop the comprehensive budget. We also thank each of the divisions, programs, OMB, Office of the Controller, DOJ, oversight committees, and the 24th Navajo Nation Council for working together and getting this budget across the finish line for the Navajo people,” Lizer said.

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