2017 budget includes Amber Alert funds

Posted by Arlyssa Becenti | Sep 15, 2016 | Politics |

WINDOW ROCK

The long-awaited Amber Alert system for the Navajo Nation should finally become a reality thanks to the budget approved by the Navajo Nation Council last Thursday.

The $626.4 million Fiscal Year 2017 budget — an increase of $6 million over the present fiscal year’s — also includes money for scholarships, retirement and benefits, Navajo Nation Police training, homes for the former Bennett Freeze and a cash infusion for the Navajo Agency of Aging.

The budget was approved after three days of debate and 21 amendments.

The Comprehensive Budget comprises the Navajo Nation General Fund, Indirect Cost Fund, higher education set-asides, external funds cash match, Proprietary Fund, Fiduciary Fund, Internal Special Revenue Fund, and External Special Revenue Funds, according to a news release.

According to Legislation No. 0291-16, the approximate allocation of funds to the Executive Branch is $565.6 million, the Legislative Branch $15.3 million, the Judicial Branch $14.6 million, fixed costs at $27.1 million, and capital projects at $3.8 million.

“This is an excellent budget,” said Seth Damon before the council voted 19-1 to pass the budget that is now waiting to be approved or vetoed by Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye.

Navajo Nation Council Delegte Amber Crotty (Toadlena/Two Grey Hills/Red Valley Tse’alnaozt’i’i’/Sheepsprings/Beclabito/Gadiiahi/To’Koi) requested that $840,000 originally slated for the Navajo Nation Department of Air Transportation go toward establishing the Amber Alert system, funding rural addressing, and hiring criminal investigators and a coroner consultant.

The lack of an Amber Alert system on the Nation received national attention in May when 11-year-old Ashlynne Mike went missing and was found dead near the Shiprock pinnacle.