Tribal Council approves 2023 budget

By Dean Rhodes

Smoke Signals editor

Deciding not to wait until the “last minute” – or at least its next regularly scheduled Dec. 28 meeting -- Tribal Council approved the 2023 final budget during a special meeting held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The 2023 draft budget was mailed to Tribal members in early November in the Tilixam Wawa and Tribal Finance Officer Chris Leno briefed the membership on its specifics in executive session during the November General Council meeting.

Adult Tribal members had until Monday, Dec. 5, to comment on the draft spending plan, which included a 6.5 percent increase in appropriations over the 2022 budget.

During the Tuesday, Dec. 20, Legislative Action Committee hearing, Tribal Council member Lisa Leno thanked Tribal members who commented on the draft budget. She added that she appreciated the number of comments, as well.

In all, the Tribe received nine comments, Budget Manager Veronica Montano said, and the final budget reflects an 8.5 percent increase in spending.

Adopting the 2023 spending plan was the only item on the Dec. 21 Tribal Council agenda.

The final budget is traditionally mailed to Tribal members in the February Tilixam Wawa.