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A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 ARPA SPENDING FRAMEWORK UDER THE CHEROKEE NATION COVID-19 RESPOND RECOVER AND REBUILD PLAN
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WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation (“Nation”) since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people;
WHEREAS, the Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic is the worst public health crisis in generations and has had measurable and immeasurable negative impacts on Cherokee Nation’s government, businesses, citizens and communities;
WHEREAS, through the Cherokee Nation COVID-19 Respond, Recover and Rebuild (RRR) Plan the Principal Chief, Deputy Principal Chief and the Council of the Cherokee Nation worked together to utilize federal funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the American Recover Plan Act (ARPA) to respond to, and recover from, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic;
WHEREAS, by Resolution 26-21 and Resolution 16-22, the Principal Chief, Deputy Principal Chief and the Council of the Cherokee Nation worked together to craft a framework for utilizing the first allocation and second allocations of ARPA funds, totaling roughly $1,996,025,479;
WHEREAS, due to the work of the Principal Chief, Deputy Principal Chief, Treasurer and the Council of the Cherokee Nation, the tribe has been able to implement life-changing programs for Cherokee Nation citizens using ARPA resources;
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation has implemented progressive pilot programs, increased access to housing, jobs and community activities, strengthened public safety and domestic violence resources and partnered with organizations across the reservation, and at-large, on community projects that assist both Cherokees and non-Cherokees alike from our communities;
WHEREAS, the Principal Chief, The Deputy Principal Chief, the Treasurer and the Council of the Cherokee Nation agree that it is time to rebalance priorities, related to the first and second ARPA Spending framework, to better align with the current mission of the Cherokee Nation and to best assist the citizens in this economic climate.
WHEREAS, it is the priority of the Principal Chief, the Deputy Principal Chief, the Treasurer and the Council of the Cherokee Nation to remain transparent and steadfast in the endeavor to be good stewards of the tribe’s resources and to assist, and continue to build up, Cherokee Nation citizens where they live, work and raise their families;
WHEREAS, the Council of the Cherokee Nation agrees that it is in the best interest of the tribe to simplify and create flexibility in the fiscal year 2024 ARPA Spending framework in order to increase access to programs and services in order to serve the Cherokee Nation and its citizens in the post-pandemic economic climate. The 5 areas of focus for fiscal year 2024 are as detailed in Exhibit A.
WHEREAS, nothing herein substitutes for, or precludes, the Council of the Cherokee Nation from engaging in its Constitutional and statutorily defined role of appropriating funds, providing oversight on spending, or using any other constitutionally or statutorily defined authority;
WHEREAS, nothing herein cedes any authority of the Council of the Cherokee Nation, including but not limited to the authority to revise this resolution, from time to time, in cooperation with the Principal Chief as circumstances warrant;
WHEREAS, the Council of the Cherokee Nation repeals Resolution 26-21 and Resolution 16-22 only to the extent that they conflict with this resolution.
WHEREAS, the Council requests that the Principal Chief, or his executive branch designee(s), provide the Council with periodic updates on the programs and services rendered pursuant to this resolution and consider any needed amendments to this new framework before October 1, 2024.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION that the Council of the Cherokee Nation approves the Fiscal Year 2024 ARPA Spending framework and repeals the preceding resolutions regarding ARPA framework and spending.