GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Navajo Nation officials are looking for cost-cutting measures after proposing a budget that is $5 million short of the current one.
The Gallup Independent reported this week that the tribe expects to have $167 million in revenue for the 2020 fiscal year that begins in October.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer said in a joint statement that their administration is reviewing department operations to look for "duplicate services, stagnant federal dollars, excessive spending, and other cost-saving measures."
They said they also are looking for ways to reduce personnel expenses, and they have instructed division directors to limit travel to conferences, summits and meetings.
They said the revenue decline is projected from the closures of the Navajo Generating Station and the Kayenta Mine.