Navajo Council’s Resources and Development Committee is now on LEGISLATION 0028-14: An action relating to Budget and Finance; approving the Navajo Nation Purchase Card Policies and Procedures submitted by the Office of the Controller
Sponsor: Hon. Jonathan Nez, Council Delegate and Danny Simpson, Council Delegate
SPONSOR, COUNCIL DELEGATE DANNY SIMPSON
There has been need for policies on Navajo Nation Purchase Cards (tribal credit cards).
RDC MEMBER LEONARD HASKIE
i heard about P-cards and I was told I was not eligible. But who really benefits from P-cards? At McKinley County Schools we had P-cards and it was removed because of some problems.
RDC CHAIRPERSON KATHERINE BENALLY
on page 3, section 8, authorization of purchases – that should be entirely deleted. It should only be when on travel status. P-cards are used to buy lunch. P-Cards circumvents tribal Purchase Policy.
RDC MEMBER LEONARD TSOSIE
Sometimes Branch Chiefs purchase meals for Council when Council is in session and so that should be allowed and disallow tribal employees buying individual lunches. Or maybe we should table and give to next Council.
RDC CHAIRPERSON BENALLY
we are still elected officials so let’s deal with this and if the next Council wants to undo P-Card Policy then let them do it.
DELEGATE DANNY SIMPSON
remember issues discussing today is because of audit that was conducted of P-Cards. This policy needs to be place to curb questionable purchases. And if you read the opening paragraph of this policy, it specifically limits types of purchases so that small purchases are made instead of huge purchases like office equipment.
RDC CHAIRPERSON KATHERINE BENALLY
I think we should make P-Card strictly used for travel that is more than 30 miles from work place instead of using when traveling from home to work place. And Division Directors are not running government, it’s the secretaries, who are aware of the abuses of P-cards. I have personally witnessed tribal employees using P-cards to buy lunch.
RDC VOTES ON RDC CHAIRPERSON BENALLY’S AMENDMENT TO DELETE SECTION 8. VOTE IS FOUR IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED. IT IS NOW 3:32 PM
RDC MEMBER LEONARD TSOSIE
I think we need to simply reimbursement/reconcillation process. And Division Directors should not be allowed to have their secretaries reconcile their P-Cards.
RDC VOTES ON LEGISLATION 0028-14: FOUR IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED. 0028-14 now goes to Health, Education and Human Services Committee and finally to Budget and Finance Committee.
