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You are here: News Politics Naabik'íyáti’ Committee approves FY2025 budget recommendation for Navajo Nation legislative branch

Naabik'íyáti’ Committee approves FY2025 budget recommendation for Navajo Nation legislative branch

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WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Naabik'íyáti’ Committee of the 25th Navajo Nation Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025 budget recommendations for the Navajo Nation Legislative Branch Jan. 17, advancing the budget to the proposed FY2025 Comprehensive Budget.

The committee first unanimously approved Legislation 0159-24, which outlines procedures for reviewing and recommending the FY2025 oversight budget, with a vote of 13 in favor, and no opposition. These procedures will guide future FY2025 budget meetings.

Speaker Crystalyne Curley (Tachee/Blue Gap, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tselani/Cottonwood, Low Mountain) sponsored Legislation 0192-24, which proposes the FY2025 Legislative Branch budget. Legislative Branch Chief of Staff Manuel Rico and Legislative Financial Advisor Clarinda Begay served as agents for the legislation.

During the session, Budget and Finance Committee Chair Shaandiin Parrish (Chilchinbeto, Dennehotso, Kayenta) served as speaker pro tempore for the Naabik'íyáti’ Committee.

“This is the first time this legislation is being presented to the Naabik'íyáti’ Committee,” Curley said. “If there are any discrepancies in the budget forms, we are ready to make updates. This budget aligns with the allocated numbers in the Budget Instruction Manual.”

Senior Budget Analyst Nanette Francisco from the Office of Management and Budget presented a close-out report on the Legislative Branch’s FY2024 budget and an update on FY2025, including department budgets, expenditures, and legislative concerns. Francisco confirmed that the Office of the Speaker had addressed most legislative concerns.

Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty (Cove, Toadlena/Two Grey Hills, Red Valley Tse’alnaozt’i’i’, Sheepsprings, Beclabito, Gadiiahi/To’Koi) raised concerns about low department expenditure rates, as reported by OMB and the Office of the Controller.

"At the close-out report, we want to see spending above 75%," she said. "I’d like to know how the office is monitoring the budget. Even my committee, the BFC, ended the year with only about 30% of its budget spent."

Crotty also suggested that delegates should have more opportunities to discuss budget formulation with branch chiefs to guide committee spending. She expressed concern about vacancies affecting budgeting:

"Once funds are locked into personnel, they stay there, and that's my concern with vacancies," she said.

Law and Order Committee Chair Eugenia Charles-Newton (Shiprock) asked whether legislative staff were paid within the average range for their positions. Speaker Curley emphasized that she urges program managers and directors to fill vacancies, and Chief of Staff Rico confirmed that all staff are paid according to their qualifications. He also noted that a general wage adjustment has been applied to applicable staff, which further impacts the budget.

Resources and Development Committee Chair Brenda Jesus (Oaksprings, St. Michaels) suggested reassessing revenues returned to the Nation by its enterprises to supplement recommended budgets.

"What are we doing to replace revenue? Some enterprises are operating globally and not giving revenue back to the Nation," she said. "It’s a responsibility they owe to the Nation."

Council Delegate Danny Simpson (Becenti, Lake Valley, Nahodishgish, Standing Rock, Whiterock, Huerfano, Nageezi, Crownpoint) expressed concern about introducing the close-out report at this stage. He preferred a quicker progression to budget discussions during the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget hearings.

Parrish explained that the close-out report’s expenditure rates would help guide the upcoming budget talks.

Before voting on the main motion, Nez passed an amendment to move almost $74,000 from an unclassified title within Government Development to the Human Rights Commission for the position of a Human Rights Investigator.

Curley said that, in formulating the Legislative Branch budget, she prioritized the unmet needs of the standing committees over those within the Office of the Speaker.

“Hopefully in this recommended budget, the funding will remain available,” she said. “I commend the committees that have met strategically to address their priorities and budget. If other committees need assistance, let’s address your needs.”

Legislation 0192-24 was approved unanimously with a vote of 14 in favor and none opposed. The recommended budget will now move forward to the proposed FY2025 comprehensive budget for deliberation by oversight committees.