WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will reconvene its Fiscal Year 2025 Comprehensive Budget hearings Jan. 14 at 1 pm in the Budget and Finance Committee conference room in Window Rock, Ariz.
The 25th Navajo Nation Council and the Budget and Finance Committee have reached a consensus to proceed with the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget hearings, based on the budget figures approved in BFJY-17-24,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley said in a Jan. 13 press release. “The Council is taking decisive action to address the urgent need to resolve the budget situation and avoid a financial crisis that could disrupt essential services and endanger the livelihoods of our employees.”
On Sept. 16, the Navajo Nation Council unanimously approved CS-39-24, which established a six-month Continuing Resolution. This resolution allocated 50% of the FY 2024 Comprehensive Budget amounts for all Navajo Nation programs, departments, and divisions, as well as 100% of all set-asides. This critical action helped prevent employee layoffs and ensured the continuation of essential government services beyond the end of FY2024.
On Sept. 27, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed the legislation, vetoing $2.7 million in critical Legislative Branch funding but approving the full allocation for the Office of the President and Vice President.
“It is the position of the Budget and Finance Committee to move forward with the budget hearings based on the figures approved in BFJY-17-24,” BFC Chair Shaandiin Parrish said. “As part of our oversight role, we are setting realistic budget expectations. During these hearings, we expect departments and divisions to clearly justify the funding they are requesting.”
Reports presented by the Office of Management and Budget to the BFC Dec. 3 revealed a significant number of budget transfers, adjustments, and revisions made by departments and divisions to align with the funding allocated under the current Continuing Resolution.
“These budget hearings give departments and divisions the opportunity to present their budgets without the added complexity of budget transfers and adjustments,” Parrish explained.
Finalizing the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget will allow Navajo Nation departments greater flexibility to allocate and expend funds without the constraints imposed by the current Continuing Resolution.
“With the fiscal year already a quarter complete, it is essential that we take swift action,” Curley said.
Several Navajo Nation Council Standing Committees are currently holding oversight hearings for departments and divisions that have not yet received budget approval.
The Budget and Finance Committee’s FY2025 Comprehensive Budget hearings will focus on the budgets under the standing committees’ oversight and will take place from Jan. 14-24.