Navajo Council Naabik’iyati Committee is now debating DIRECTIVE by Delegate Alton Shepherd for the Council’s Task Force on the $554 million Settlement to begin meeting on how to spend the $554 m.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
This is premature. Let’s make sure it arrives first.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
Opposing side is saying, we don’t have money, but we don’t have funds when start planning annual budget process. the tribal revenues for annual budget to operate Navajo government is projected. and $554 million is not projected, it’s coming. so we need to plan for it.

DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
I support the planning of “recommendations” on how $554 m. would be used and the creation of new account to hold $554 m., possible for bond issue. This directive is not about spending.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
we have budget laws and this settlement is outside those laws. “It’s Christmas in July” yee-yah. And i’m afraid that wat will be recommended is funding of Capital Improvement Projects for 110 chapters and it will be spent in one day and then delegates will start adding their projects from floor.

VOTE ON ACCEPTING DELEGATE SHEPHERD’S DIRECTIVE REGARDING $554 MILLION SETTLEMENT
10 IN FAVOR, 4 OPPOSED

DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY IS CHAIRPERSON OF TASK FORCE ON $554 MILLION