Coalmine Canyon Chapter approves major budget amendments and community projects
Navajo Times | Rima Krisst
Officials developing plans for a large-scale solar project at the Little Colorado River have found out the 5,000 acres they are looking at are not located in Cameron Chapter but in Coalmine Canyon Chapter.
By Donovan Quintero
Special to the Times
WINDOW ROCK – On Dec. 19, Coalmine Canyon Chapter convened a meeting to finalize fiscal and operational plans for the upcoming year.
Held at the chapter’s headquarters at the Western Navajo Agency, the session addressed budget allocations, resolutions, and strategic community initiatives. The meeting was chaired by Coalmine Chapter President Rena Dodson with active participation from key officials and local stakeholders.
The chapter approved two significant resolutions, marking a proactive step in financial planning and community development. The first resolution CCC-11-090-25 involved a carryover budget of $800,139.63. This decision is set to bolster multiple sectors within the chapter, spanning essential public services and innovative programs aimed at community enrichment.
Among the noteworthy allocations, $145,726.20 was earmarked for addressing unhealthy food taxation, reflecting a commitment to improving health and nutrition access. Additional funds were directed toward the Summer Youth Employment Program, housing discretionary funds, and veteran support services, among other key initiatives.
Kristen Charley, the administrative officer at the agency service office, highlighted the importance of this resolution.
“This carryover budget ensures that crucial programs remain funded while providing flexibility to address emerging community needs,” Charley stated during the session.
Following this, the chapter passed its annual budget for fiscal 2025, totaling $144,312.50, under resolution CCC-11-101-25. This budget emphasizes personnel and travel expenses, totaling $50,297.50 while allocating additional funds toward scholarship programs, trust funds, and the Public Employment Project, which alone received $36,400. The focus on community employment and educational advancement underscores the chapter’s forward-thinking vision for capacity building and youth empowerment.
The chapter also reviewed its expenditure report for the fiscal year ending Oct. 31. Key highlights included allocations for emergency services ($66,045.43), capital improvement outlays ($100,643.73), and Navajo Nation sales tax payments ($235,549.00).
The figures reflect the chapter’s continued investment in infrastructure, public safety, and compliance with broader Navajo Nation obligations.
In addition to financial matters, the chapter tackled critical land-use issues through several new resolutions. One such proposal, resolution CCC-08-0096-24, sought to support the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority’s application for land withdrawal for renewable energy and battery storage projects.
Another land-related resolution CCC-12-111-25 addressed the removal of a business site lease for commercial development along Highway 260. The removal initiative aims to enhance economic opportunities within the chapter while reclaiming land for strategic use.
Additionally, resolution CCC-12-113-25 proposed the withdrawal of 20 acres for the expansion of the Coalmine Canyon Chapter cemetery.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a land-use plan for the chapter, cementing its commitment to balanced growth and resource management.
“These resolutions are a testament to the chapter’s dedication to sustainable development and the well-being of its residents,” said Marcella Yazzie, the president of the Community Land Use Plan Committee.
The chapter announced key upcoming events, including a State of the Nation Address scheduled for Jan. 14, and a planning meeting on Jan. 2.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow