McCabe warns of payroll errors, unpaid invoices as $347 million in ARPA funds remain
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren delivers his State of the Navajo Nation address as Vice President Richelle Montoya listens during the 25th Navajo Nation Council’s Winter Session on Jan. 26, 2026.
By Donovan Quintero
Special to the Times
WINDOW ROCK – Navajo Nation Controller Sean McCabe told Council delegates Monday night that $347.544 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds remain unspent as payroll errors and unpaid vendor invoices add pressure ahead of a Dec. 31, 2026, federal spending deadline.
During his report to the Navajo Nation Council on the opening night of the Winter Session, McCabe outlined the Nation’s financial position for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2025, and responded to questions from delegates about payroll accuracy, unpaid contractors, chapter funding delays, veterans’ payments and the timeline for any new hardship assistance.
At the center of his presentation was the Navajo Nation’s enterprise resource planning system, a multi-year effort intended to replace paper-based accounting processes and strengthen internal controls. McCabe said the accounting modules for the Office of the Controller and the Office of Management and Budget will not go live until April, citing disruptions within his office and difficulties migrating data from an aging legacy system.
To read the full article, please see the Jan. 29, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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