Staff Reports
WINIDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council approved the Navajo Nation Fiscal Year 2027 Comprehensive Budget of over $585 million Sept. 18, providing funding authority for the Navajo Nation government to continue operations and essential services beginning Oct. 1.
The action followed the Council’s Sept. 9 consideration of Legislation No. 0192-26, which failed by a vote of nine in favor and 10 opposed.
The FY2027 Comprehensive Budget allocates over $20 million for the Legislative Branch Operating Budget, over $19.5 million or the Judicial Branch Operating Budget, and nearly $495 million for the Executive Branch Operating Budget. The budget also provides over $50 million for fixed costs necessary to maintain government operations.
“I applaud the work of the Budget and Finance Committee and the efforts of my colleagues in passing the FY2027 Comprehensive Budget, a measure that prioritized personnel, addressed unmet needs, and avoided layoffs of Navajo Nation employees,” Council Delegate Shaandiin Parrish, sponsor of the FY2027 budget bill, said.
The Budget and Finance Committee traveled through all Navajo Agencies to hear community priorities, which influenced the budget.
“As a committee, BFC prioritized public input, data-driven decisions, and fiscal responsibility for the Navajo Nation,” Parrish said.
The FY27 budget also provides $83.3 million for statutory set-asides, including $36.1 million for the Navajo Nation Permanent Fund, $6 million for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, $19 million for the Diné Higher Education Grant Fund, $2 million for the Capital Outlay Match Fund, $2 million for the Navajo Nation Water Rights Claims Fund, $12 million for the Veterans Assistance and Veterans Housing Trust Funds, and $6 million for the Navajo Nation Remediation Fund.
The budget also includes $16.5 million in Personnel Lapse Savings funding, with $7.9 million designated to address occupied positions and fringe shortfalls identified through the unmet needs report. An additional $8 million in projected General Fund revenue will support the Personnel Adjustment Vacancy Pool for the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches.
The Council’s action emphasizes the importance of maintaining continuous government operations and essential services for the Navajo people. These services include law enforcement, emergency management, fire protection, courts, probation, peacemaking, public health, elder services, food distribution, and services for children and families. Chapter operations also depend on continued funding to provide governmental and direct services at the local level.
The FY2027 fiscal year will also coincide with the 2026 Navajo Nation general election and governmental transition. The budget action identifies continued government operations, public safety, courts, Chapter support and an orderly transition of government as necessary to maintain the Navajo Nation’s ability to govern itself and exercise its sovereign responsibilities.
“The Council had a responsibility to ensure that the Navajo Nation government can continue serving our people,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley said. “This budget provides the resources necessary to maintain essential services, support our communities, and ensure continuity of government as we enter a new fiscal year and prepare for a transition in leadership.”
Legislation 0207-26, the FY27 Comprehensive Budget, was approved by a vote of 17 in favor and four opposed. Once certified and delivered to the Office of the President and Vice President, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will have until Sept. 30 to consider the resolution.
