WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — During the Jan. 15 comprehensive budget meeting, the Budget and Finance Committee reviewed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal for the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation. The committee discussed issues related to employee retention by addressing critical funding and layoff concerns.
Council Delegate Brenda Jesus, chairwoman of the Resources and Development Committee, sponsored the proposed legislation, presenting NDOT’s budget request of over $12.7 million. NDOT Director Tom Platero and Budget Officer Alva R. Tom detailed the allocation breakdown across various NDOT departments, including Highway Safety, Airport Management, and Road Maintenance.
The presentation also revealed a 3% budget cut imposed by the Office of the President and Vice President, prompting proposed staff layoffs and operational adjustments. Staffing shortages were identified as another challenge, with NDOT reporting 62 vacant positions with 14 of those positions pending. These vacancies impact critical operations, including compliance and transit programs.
BFC Chairwoman Shaandiin Parrish reaffirmed the committee’s dedication to achieving their fiscal and operational goals for FY2025.
“Our focus is to align resources with the priorities of the Navajo Nation, ensuring that every dollar invested serves our communities effectively and ensures job stability for our Navajo government employees,” she said.
In response to these concerns, the committee issued directives to prevent the abolishment of two positions within NDOT. Additional staffing positions that were not mentioned during the review were also protected under this directive. NDOT was instructed to amend its organizational budget in accordance with the revised Budget Instruction Manual.
The BFC expressed unanimous disapproval of the potential layoffs, instead reaffirming its commitment to protecting jobs. stated, “
"The committee is dedicated to safeguarding employment within the Navajo Nation," Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty said. "Layoffs should not be considered a solution, especially when alternative budget adjustments can be explored.”
A legislative concern addressing the delay in federal and state matching fund requests was addressed by Crotty. The concern cited a six-month backlog in NDOT approvals as a barrier to advancing vital community projects that was reported by the Division of Community Development. The committee urged NDOT to streamline its processes to expedite the disbursement of these funds, enabling timely project execution.
The BFC approved the proposed budget and accompanying directives with a vote of three in favor and none opposed, moving the recommended budget to the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget for consideration by oversight committees.
