B&F seeks removal of NN controller

Posted by Arlyssa Becenti | Dec 22, 2016 | Politics |

WINDOW ROCK

Navajo Nation Controller Jim Parris was only confirmed into his position a year ago, but the Navajo Nation Council’s Budget and Finance Committee is asking for Parris to be removed.

Submitted
Jim R. Parris

Seth Damon, chair of Budget and Finance, said during their Tuesday regular committee meeting members went into executive session to discuss Parris’ job performance thus far, and at the end of the meeting, a directive was made to have legislative counsel draft legislation seeking his removal.

“I can’t go into specifics… I am supportive of this decision, or else I wouldn’t have taken the initiative to support that directive,” said Damon. “The Navajo Nation Budget and Finance Committee has had concerns for the past three months on Mr. Parris’ job performance.”

Throughout the months, it has been made known that Parris has a three-day workweek. Not only has this led council to openly taunt him on this fact during council or committee meetings, they have also spoken out loud on the controller’s bonus along with his six-figure paycheck.

Parris came to work with the Navajo Nation having 35 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and management in tribal, federal, and private sectors across the U.S. He also met the certified public accountant requirement that council had only recently placed as a requirement for any future controller of the Navajo Nation.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye believes the only fault that council has found with Parris is that he is doing his job correctly. He says Parris follows the rules and codes put forth before him and isn’t easily swayed.

“Working at the pleasure of the council does not mean, ‘Controller, break the law!’ and (he) does whatever the council tells him,” said Begaye in a phone interview. “The controller keeps reminding the council of the statutory laws that are there, the fiduciary responsibility of the nation and the legal opinion of the Attorney General and that has caused a fallout between the controller and council.”