WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council voted in favor of Legislation No. 0012-25 Feb. 27, approving the Comprehensive Budget for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025. The budget passed with amendments designed to protect employee benefits, education, public safety, Navajo Nation veterans, and essential services for the community.
“It’s good to be here today to discuss the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget,” Budget and Finance Committee Chair Shaandiin Paarish said. “I know we’ve had extensive discussions on this legislation. There was plenty of work done by the Naabik’íyatí’ Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee, and the oversight committees to bring this legislation to where it is today.”
The FY2025 Comprehensive Budget allocates approximately $541 million to the Navajo Nation’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Included in the approved budget are the following allocations from the Personnel Lapse Fund and Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance:
- $1.4 million for compensation and step increases for Navajo Nation employees
- $4.8 million for a 4% general wage adjustment for all employees
- $550,000 to address unmet needs for Navajo Chapter Veterans’ Organizations
- Over $921,000 for Chapter Summer Youth Employment Programs
- $1.5 million for one-time chapter utility payments
- $2 million to support solid waste projects for Navajo Nation Chapters
The budget also addressed the significant increase in the Office of the President and Vice President’s proposed budget. Several delegates voiced concerns that this increase came at the expense of Executive Branch divisions and departments that deliver direct services.
Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty put forth an amendment moving $650,000 from the OPVP budget to the Department of Water Resources to support travel, supplies, utilities, repairs, maintenance, contractual services, and capital outlay.
Resources and Development Committee Chair Brenda Jesus initiated an amendment moving $60,000 from the OPVP budget to the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency to fund a criminal enforcement position and operational costs.
Council Delegates also passed amendments using the UUFB to benefit Navajo Nation scholarships, emergency medical services, and annual leave payouts.
Health, Education, and Human Services Committee Chair Vince James introduced an amendment proposing a $2 million allocation from the UUFB for scholarships through the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance.
BFC Vice Chair Carl R. Slater and Law and Order Committee Chair Eugenia Charles-Newton motioned for an amendment allocating $7.4 million from the UUFB for capital outlay expenses, including specialized vehicles, defibrillators, and auto-pulses for Emergency Medical Services.
Council Delegate Dr. Andy Nez proposed an amendment reallocating $150,000 from the OPVP budget to the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration and $70,000 from the Navajo Division of Health and $70,000 from the UUFB to the Navajo Nation Library for operational costs.
Crotty and James offered an amendment to allocate $1.4 million from the UUFB for compensation related to annual leave forfeiture payouts for calendar year 2024.
“This budget includes the priorities presented during the BFC’s public hearings across Navajo agencies while adhering to base planning amounts presented in the Budget Instruction Manual,” Parrish said. “The Council also stressed the need to carefully evaluate the potential effects of any budget increases on the overall financial stability of divisions and departments that provide essential services directly to the Navajo people. I commend my colleagues for their diligent work in preparing this budget.”
The 25th Navajo Nation Council voted 19 in favor and one opposed to approve the FY2025 Comprehensive Budget. Once the resolution is certified by Speaker Crystalyne Curley and delivered to the Office of the President and Vice President, Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren will have ten calendar days to consider the resolution.
