Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee
Shaandiin Parrish
Vice Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee
Carl R. Slater
Member of the Budget and Finance Committee
Norman M. Begay
Member of the Budget and Finance Committee
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Member of the Budget and Finance Committee
Lester Yazzie
Member of the Budget and Finance Committee
Cherilyn Yazzie
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Educational Resource for Budget and Finance Committee
The Budget and Finance Committee is a standing committee of the Navajo Nation Council exercises oversight over budgeting, finance, investment, bonds, contracting, insurance, audits, accounting, taxes, and loans for the Navajo Nation. The committee ensures fiscal stability, protects financial reserves, and promotes efficient use of funds.
What Is the Budget and Finance Committee?
The Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) is one of the key standing committees of the Navajo Nation Council. It is responsible for overseeing the financial health, budgetary policy, and economic integrity of the Navajo Nation. Established under Title 2 of the Navajo Nation Code, the committee ensures that Navajo Nation funds are managed responsibly and transparently to serve the best interests of the Navajo people.
This committee plays a central role in developing, regulating, and maintaining the Nation’s financial systems—from budgeting and appropriations to audits and investments.
What Does the Committee Do?
The BFC’s core responsibilities cover a wide range of financial and administrative areas, including:
- Budgeting and Appropriations: Reviewing, approving, and recommending the Nation’s budget and financial policies.
- Financial Oversight: Monitoring expenditures, loans, investments, contracts, insurance, and taxes.
- Audit and Accountability: Acting as the audit committee for the Navajo Nation government, receiving annual audits, and ensuring fiscal compliance across departments and programs.
- Program and Enterprise Monitoring: Requiring reports and tracking the financial performance of Navajo Nation entities and enterprises.
- Policy Development: Creating and enforcing rules for financial management, wage policies, fringe benefits, and expenditure reimbursements.
Who Does the Committee Oversee?
The BFC exercises legislative oversight over several critical financial departments and offices, including:
- Office of the Controller
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
- Office of the Auditor General
- Office of the Navajo Tax Commission
- Navajo Tax Commission
- Insurance Services Department
- Insurance Commission
- Retirement Services Department
These entities are directly accountable to the BFC for their operations, financial reporting, and compliance with Navajo Nation financial laws and policies.
Authority and Powers
- Appropriate and allocate funds, including grants and gifts.
- Monitor financial agreements and ensure compliance with tribal, state, and federal regulations.
- Review and approve contracts, grants, and fund management plans.
- Recommend fiscal strategies to strengthen the Nation’s financial position.
- Review federal and external agency budgets (e.g., Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service) and advocate for Navajo Nation interests.
- Delegate financial responsibilities to divisions, chapters, or entities as needed for efficient governance (with proper rules in place).
It can also return unspent funds to appropriate sources and coordinate with state and federal agencies to protect the Nation’s fiscal integrity.
Meeting Schedule and Public Access
The Budget and Finance Committee holds regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month. These meetings are essential forums where committee members, advisors, and the public can engage with ongoing financial matters.
Advisors to the committee include the Department of Justice, Controller, OMB, Auditor General, Legislative Counsel, and others who support informed decision-making and accountability.
Legislations passed by the Budget and Finance Committee
An Action Relating to the Budget and Finance and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $750,000.00 from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (“UUFB”) for the Office of the President and Vice President to Fund a Supplemental Fiscal Need for Operations for Fiscal Year 2026; Waiving 12 N.N.C. § 820(E), § 820(F), § 820(J), and § 820(L)
Legislation 0075-26
Legislation Title
Legislation Description
Approved Committees
- Budget & Finance Committee
- Naa’bik’iyati’ Committee
- Navajo Nation Council
Sponsor and Co-Sponsor
Sponsor: Danny Simpson
Co-Sponsor: N/A
Learn more about the legislation by going to DIBBS
An Action Relating to the Budget and Finance Committee; Approving Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Instructions; Establishing the Planning Base Amounts; Approving the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Instructions Manual and Other Actions Related to the Navajo Nation’s Fiscal Year 2027 Comprehensive Budget
Legislation 0091-26
Legislation Title
Legislation Description
Approved Committees
1. Budget & Finance Committee
Sponsor and Co-Sponsor
Sponsor: Shaandiin Parrish
Co-Sponsor:
1. Norman M. Begay
Learn more about the legislation by going to DIBBS
An Action Relating to Budget and Finance Committee; Approving a Budget Reallocation of the Entire Remaining Unobligated Funds from the Department of Justice Fixed Cost Litigation Fund Balance, Business Unit No. N01000, to the Office of Legislative Counsel, Business Unit No. 101017
Legislation 0034-26
Legislation Title
Legislation Description
Approved Committees
1. Budget & Finance Committee
Sponsor and Co-Sponsor
Sponsor: Shaandiin Parrish
Co-Sponsor: N/A
Learn more about the legislation by going to DIBBS
An Action Relating to the Budget and Finance and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $8,695,132.00 From the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (“UUFB”) for The Navajo Nation Department of General Services to Address Accessibility Deficiencies in Navajo Chapter Houses and Other Public Facilities; Approving $201,200.00 From the UUFB for the Navajo Election Administration to Accommodate Voters with Disabilities; and Waiving 12 N.N.C. § 820 (E), § 820 (F), § 820 (J), and 820 (L)
Legislation 0078-26
Legislation Title
Legislation Description
Approved Committees
- Budget & Finance Committee
- Naa’bik’iyati’ Committee
- Navajo Nation Council
Sponsor and Co-Sponsor
Sponsor: Andy Nez
Co-Sponsor: N/A
Learn more about the legislation by going to DIBBS
An Action Relating to the Budget and Finance and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $194,810.00 from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (“UUFB”) for the Office of Miss Navajo to Fund a Supplemental Fiscal Need for Unmet Needs for Fiscal Year 2026; Waiving 12 N.N.C. §§ 820 (E), (F), (J) and (L)
Legislation 0083-26
Legislation Title
Legislation Description
Approved Committees
- Budget & Finance Committee
- Naa’bik’iyati’ Committee
- Navajo Nation Council
Sponsor and Co-Sponsor
Sponsor: Casey Allen Johnson
Co-Sponsor: N/A
Learn more about the legislation by going to DIBBS
For more legislations from the Budget and Finance Committee
Click below to view the full list of legislation
Reports received by the Budget and Finance Committee
MEMO: Navajo Nation Washington, D.C. Office Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
Fiscal Year 2027 Revenue Projection report from the Office of the Controller
Navajo Nation President Nygren on Line Item Veto
25th Navajo Nation Council's Response to President Nygren's Line Item Vetos
Budget and Finance Committee Amendments Matrix
The BFC Amendment Reallocation Matrix outlines the strategic redistribution of $15,734,802 in existing funds across various departments within the Navajo Nation Government. This process allows the Nation to respond to urgent and evolving needs without requesting new funding or increasing the overall budget. Instead, funds were redirected from areas with unused or surplus allocations—such as vacant job positions, capital reserves, or low-utilization accounts—and reassigned to departments and programs that require immediate support.
Budget and Finance Committee Amendment Reallocation Memorandum
The Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) of the 25th Navajo Nation Council amended and reallocated a total of $15.7 million during the Fiscal Year 2026 Oversight Budget Meetings. This memorandum documents the allocation of existing Navajo Nation General Funds to protect jobs, support critical services, and fund new initiatives.
Summary of Executive Branch FY26 Allocations
The Summary of Executive Branch FY26 Allocations explains how the Navajo Nation’s $102.8 million Executive Branch budget was adjusted during the budget process. While the overall funding level did not change, money was reallocated within the branch to better meet priorities and correct budget shortfalls. Some programs, such as the Executive Offices and Chapter General Funds, received increases, while others, including Public Safety, Human Resources, and Children and Family Services, saw reductions. These adjustments ensure that essential salaries, benefits, and community services are properly funded, while keeping the total budget balanced and accountable.
BFC Budget Public Hearing
Pursuant to 12 N.N.C. §§ 800 and 840(A), the Budget and Finance Committee (“Committee”) may hold public hearings at each agency and take testimony on the budget, and to plan for adequate funding of services desired by the Navajo People, including provision and maintenance of public facilities.
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