WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council’s Naabik’íyáti’ Committee held a special meeting Feb. 24 to review and discuss the Navajo Nation’s Fiscal Year 2025 Comprehensive Budget.
“We’re here to discuss the comprehensive budget and recommendations, not only from myself as sponsor but also from the Budget and Finance Committee, the 25th Navajo Nation Council, and the oversight committees,” legislation sponsor and Budget and Finance Committee Chair Shaandiin Parrish said. “For the first time in 30 years, the Budget and Finance Committee held public hearings across all Navajo agencies and Navajo-Utah Chapters. We heard from the Navajo people on what they need, and this budget reflects those recommendations.”
The committee acted on several amendments, focusing on fiscal diligence to address funding needs for the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, waste disposal and recycling, education, and public safety.
Resources and Development Committee Chair Brenda Jesus proposed an amendment to move $60,000 from within the Executive Branch’s budget to the Environmental Protection Agency to fund a criminal enforcement position and operational costs.
“The NEPA criminal enforcement oversees illegal dumping and other environmental impacts on Navajo land,” she said. “With just two staff members, one part-time, it’s critical to fund these positions as they work closely with chapters on public outreach.”
Council Delegate Cherilyn Yazzie introduced two amendments. The first directed NEPA to provide oral and written reports on mitigation efforts regarding climate change and illegal dumping on the Navajo Nation, due to the RDC by the end of FY2025’s third quarter.
“We need to keep gathering data on waste disposal and recycling efforts to help the Nation create its own waste management program,” Yazzie said.
Yazzie’s second amendment called on all Navajo Nation branches, divisions, and departments to submit reports identifying unnecessary expenses and potential cost-saving strategies in preparation for potential revenue reductions that may impact future funding.
Law and Order Committee Chair Eugenia Charles-Newton addressed the disparity in public safety officers across the Navajo Nation compared to the six Executive Protection Service officers assigned to the Office of the President and Vice President. Charles-Newton put forth an amendment reallocating all EPS funding to support an additional officer in six Navajo Nation Police Districts.
“The president is one person with six people guarding him,” Charles-Newton said. “We need to move those six EPS positions into the agencies.”
Health, Education, and Human Services Committee Chair Vince James introduced an amendment proposing the use of $2 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance for scholarships. It also directed the Division of Diné Education’s Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance to provide a written and oral report to HEHSC by the end of the third quarter of FY2025. The amendment passed unanimously.
A final amendment, offered by Budget and Finance Vice Chair Carl R. Slater moved $650,000 from the Office of the President and Vice President’s budget to the Department of Water Resources to address shortfalls in operating costs. It also allocated over $7 million from the UUFB for capital outlay expenses for Emergency Medical Services and directed the Division of General Services to submit a final structural assessment report for property owned in Washington D.C. to the 25th Navajo Nation Council by the end of FY2025’s third quarter.
“I thank my colleagues for implementing these critical measures today to address budgetary issues impacting the safety and well-being of Navajo communities,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley said. “As the 25th Navajo Nation Council, we are leading efforts on the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget and will continue to do so as this legislation moves forward.”
The Naabik’íyáti’ Committee adjourned its special meeting on the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget on Feb. 24.
