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WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The Public Safety Committee of the 21st Navajo Nation Council passed various pieces of legislation today including a bill sponsored by Council Delegate Hope McDonald Lone Tree.
McDonald Lone Tree's (Coalmine Canyon/Toh Nanees Dizi) measure (Legislation No.0354-10) relates to reviewing and approving the $60 million Key Bank loan budget, which will finance the construction of public safety facilities at Tuba City, Ariz. and Crownpoint, N.M. The bill passed the committee, 5-0.
Council Delegate Rex Lee Jim (Rock Point) said the passage McDonald Lone Tree's legislation is important to the Navajo Nation.
"This piece of legislation, which allowed the committee to review and approve a loan of this magnitude, is important for the Navajo Nation because money will be used for direct services such as for jails and construction work for Navajo people," Jim said. "As well, criminals will be put away. It will be a one stop shop service where people will get help. People will get counseling and other services at these facilities."
According to the loan's budget breakdown, $8.2 million is to be used for contractual services such as consulting, attorney's fees and architecture and design and $51.8 million for capital outlay such as land improvements, infrastructure and for building.
In regards to drawdown amounts, Council Delegate Elmer P. Begay (Dilcon/Teesto) asked members of the project team how much it would be as well as the specific breakdown of funding for each facility.
Delores Greyeyes, director for Navajo Department of Corrections, said a drawdown schedule was not completed at the moment.
"As far as amounts, we are still working with the Office of the Controller and Key Bank," she explained. "Right now, approximately $16 million will go to Tuba City. The full $27 million will go to Crownpoint. The remaining will be for contingency and go to the third priority" if any funding is left over.
Based on the priority listing, the next facility to possibly get Key Bank loan financing for its public safety facility is the Chinle, Ariz. site. Shiprock, N.M. and Fort Defiance, Ariz., are the last two public safety facilities on the priority list.
"We are planning to sign the loan document on Thursday," added Mark Grant, controller for the Navajo Nation. "We need this drawdown schedule before we close the loan."
Despite dire economic conditions on the Navajo Nation, Jim said the people understand the need for these facilities as they agreed to the one percent sales tax increase.
Jim also highlighted the importance of this project's influence on the Navajo Nation and said, "If we do these projects well it is going to enhance the credibility of the Nation. We will be able to do more by getting more."
Council Delegate Edmund E. Yazzie (Thoreau) agreed.
"It is good we are on track," Yazzie added. "All we need to do is get the schedule by Thursday. It made my day to hear that this construction will happen."
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