General Council briefed on 2023 draft budget

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer

Finance Officer Chris Leno briefed Tribal members on the draft budget for calendar year 2023 during the Sunday, Nov. 6, hybrid General Council meeting held via the Zoom video conferencing application and in-person at the Governance Center.

The draft budget portion of the meeting was held in executive session, which limits how much Smoke Signals can report on the details.

Leno’s draft budget presentation ran approximately 45 minutes and he fielded nine questions and comments regarding next year’s Tribal spending plan.

Tribal members interested in obtaining the slides of Leno’s presentation should contact Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez at stacia.martin@grandronde.org or call 503-879-2304.

The November Tilixam Wawa also features a detailed look at the 2023 draft budget and adult Tribal members have until 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, to submit written comments. The final 2023 budget will be adopted on or before Dec. 31.

In other action, Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy announced that the next General Council meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, with a report from the Grand Ronde Food Bank (iskam mfkHmfk haws). The meeting will again be in a hybrid format on Zoom and in-person at the Governance Center.

Kennedy also thanked all of the veterans in the audience because Friday, Nov. 11, was Veterans Day.

“I want to express my appreciation for the service of those who are our veterans, both at home and in other countries defending our rights and others,” she said. “Thank you for your service.”

Tribal Council member Jon A. George told audience members that even though registration is closed for the upcoming Restoration celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Spirit Mountain Casino, all are welcome to attend the Restoration Powwow, which begins at the casino at 5:30 p.m. and will feature several dance specials.

Desiree Allen, Lorena Rivera, Raymond Petite, Bill Stephens and David Leno won the $50 door prizes. Petite donated his winnings to the Veterans Special Event Board.

Anthony Quenelle, Reyn Leno and Toby Ambrose won the $100 door prizes. Leno donated his winnings to Fish & Wildlife Committee.

Shawn Haggerty and Denise Delagarza won two beaded necklaces made by Jon A. George.

The non-executive session portion of the meeting can be viewed by visiting the Tribal government’s website at www.grandronde.org and clicking on the Government tab and then Videos.