The Council of the Cherokee Nation has approved a $3.8bn budget in its council meeting; the largest budget in the Tribe’s history.
Of the $3.8bn budget, $3.03bn will go towards the operating budget and $753m will contribute to the capital investment budget.
The operating budget includes $24.8m in funding from the US Department of Interior to provide ‘a blanket of protection after the historic McGirt ruling.’ The Marshal Service’s budget is $47m; the Attorney General’s $8.4m and the Tribal court budget is $14m. This amounts to a total of $69.4m in spending on the Cherokee Nation criminal justice system.
Included in the FY2024 capital investment budget is $122m for roads and bridges, nearly $400m for the new W.W. Hastings Hospital and $158m for other health facility and equipment spending.
Meanwhile, the comprehensive budget makes room for $49.6m on public health, fitness and wellness initiatives, as well as $30m of the $40m multi-year Verna D. Thompson Early Education Act legislation that is dedicated to expanding and/or renovating HeadStart centers.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. commented, “This isn’t just a historic budget, but also an era with a record number of infrastructure projects on the ground as we build new homes, wellness centers, a hospital, addiction treatment center and HeadStart centers across the Cherokee Nation Reservation to keep moving our tribe and people forward.”
Treasurer Janees Taylor said, “The Fiscal Year 2024 budget is another record-setting budget for the Cherokee people. Along with Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner’s proposals of safety and wellness, this budget also provides the many important services needed for our Cherokee people. These investments will make an impact not only for the next year but many years to come.”
