WINDOW ROCK — The Executive Branch participated in a special session of the Navajo Nation Council’s Budget and Finance Committee on March 31 to hear the Controller’s Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Revenue Projection.
The Navajo Nation Code provides that at the end of the second quarter, the Controller shall review and recommend an annual Fiscal Year Revenue Projection for all revenue generating sources for all governmental, proprietary and fiduciary funds of the Navajo Nation.
The Annual Fiscal Year Revenue Projection shall be submitted for review by the B&F Committee, and will serve as the official revenue estimate at the beginning of the annual budget process for the next fiscal year.
On behalf of Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, Chief of Staff Sharen Sandoval attended the special session as the Executive Branch’s delegated representative. Her presence ensured that the Executive Branch will remain actively engaged in the FY2027 budget development and planning moving forward.
During the session, Controller Sean McCabe presented an estimated $301.5 million in projected revenues for FY2027. After required set-asides totaling $83.3 million, approximately $218.2 million is anticipated to be available for general fund budgeting.
Revenue projections are based on several key sources including tax revenues, coal revenues and investment income.
New revenue projections for the FY2027 includes contributions from the Forest Carbon Enterprise Fund. The carbon offset program is expected to generate over $5.5 million in FY2027, reflecting continued efforts to diversify revenue streams and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
Sandoval asked questions regarding the assumptions behind the revenue projections, including the reliability and long-term outlook of the carbon offset program as part of the Nation’s overall revenue portfolio. Her questions emphasized the importance of ensuring projections are grounded in realistic expectations and aligned with the Nation’s long-term financial strategy.
The Office of the Controller noted that projections are based on current market conditions and may fluctuate due to factors such as energy markets, investment performance, and broader economic conditions.
The B&F Committee voted to accept the report and will continue working with the Office of the Controller and branch leadership to refine priorities ahead of the FY2027 budget process.
The Executive Branch looks forward to working with Speaker and Interim Chief Justice to have a successful budget process.
Further, leadership at the Office of the President and Vice President look forward to OMB’s release of the base planning amounts for all three branches of government at the end of April.
