General Council briefed on proposed 2015 budget(2)

Tribal members received a 38-minute explanation of the proposed 2015 Tribal budget in executive session during the Sunday, Nov. 2, General Council meeting held in the Community Center.

Finance Officer Chris Leno briefed Tribal members on the budget in executive session, which limits how much detail Smoke Signals can go into regarding the meeting.

Tribal members followed along with copies of the most recent Tilixam Wawa, and the Tribe's Information Systems staff recorded the meeting for those who could not attend.

To obtain a copy of the presentation, Tribal members should contact Tribal Council Executive Coordinator Stacia Martin at 503-879-2304 or stacia.martin@grandronde.org.

Following the budget presentation, Leno fielded four questions and comments from the audience. Tribal members have until 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, to comment in writing on the proposed budget.

In other action, Tribal Council Vice Chair Jack Giffen Jr. announced a re-organization of the General Manager's Office. Tribal Planner Rick George has been named interim general manager and Martin was named assistant general manager in addition to her role as Tribal Council executive coordinator. Higher Education Manager Bryan Langley will serve as interim assistant general manager.

"It is our belief that this change will not only help improve communication between the Executive Office, departments, employees and Tribal Council, but will also help us meet the needs of our members," Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno said in a staff-wide e-mail on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

George will oversee Human Resources, Health & Wellness, Tribal Police, Planning & Grants, the Tribal Employment Rights Office and the building official. Martin will oversee Land and Culture, Member Benefits, Education and the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority. Natural Resources, Social Services and Engineering, Public Works and Maintenance will report to Langley.

Giffen also announced that the February General Council meeting will brief Tribal members on the Tribe's investment portfolio while the March General Council meeting will review Tribal economic development efforts.

The next General Council meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The one-hour early start is traditional to accommodate the Tribal Council Christmas Party, which will immediately follow in the Tribal gym.

Dan Stroebel, Duane Wheeler and William Beaver Jr. won the $50 door prizes and Isabelle Grout won the $100 door prize. Stroebel donated his door prize to the Tribe's Veterans Special Event Board.

In addition, two necklaces created by Tribal Council member Jon A. George were raffled off.

George, Jade Unger and Land and Culture Manager Jan Looking Wolf Reibach provided the cultural drumming and singing to open the meeting. Tribal Council member Cheryle A. Kennedy gave the invocation.