Applicants must have valid NV driver’s license, be insurable under Tribal vehicle policy, and pass drug & background checks. Preference given to qualified Indian applicants in accordance with 25 CFR 273.45

There have been multiple issues within the Finance Department contributing to the current incomplete and inaccurate records. In 2000 I was briefly appointed as a Council Member. At that time the checks and balances were in place. All expenditures were presented to Council and approved by resolution. When I was elected as Treasurer in 2006, all standard accounting practices had been removed. The issues can be traced prior to 2006 when the previous dual and dueling Fallon Business Councils authorized the CFO unlimited, unsupervised authority over the settlement funds and removed the checks and balances causing chaos within Finance.

In the last 18 months, the Finance Department has worked with multiple auditing firms and financial consultants. Each consultant advised the incomplete and lack of account reconciliations; incomplete and lack of retention of supporting documentation; poor management and supervision of staff and job duties; and poor tracking and recording of accounts within the general fund have contributed to the chaos.

The facts are clear that Finance must complete monthly reconciliations to obtain and report accurate numbers. Without accurate figures, the Fallon Business Council cannot make sound business and financial decisions.

Working with the CFO Group and Integrity Business Solutions, I’m attentive the 2008 and 2009 audits are the first thorough and complete Tribal financial audits in several years. Both companies are researching and reviewing every aspect of the Tribe’s financial picture. The former CFO was inadequate as a financial manager evidenced by:

· Filed inaccurate reports with funding agencies

· Reported misinformation to Fallon Business Council

· Failed to transfer funds to Waddell and Reed as authorized and directed

· Signed auditor’s contract without Fallon Business Council knowledge or approval

· Co-mingled funds from multiple tribal accounts that should have been separate

Based on the numerous findings being exposed and the recommendations of the auditors and consultant, the Treasurer and Finance staff implemented the following changes to correct issues to better serve the people of the Tribe.

· Assigned a staff member to manage grant financials and complete funding reports.

· Hired a temporary worker to assist in payroll and support Finance staff.

· Closed Finance Department off from casual foot traffic.

· Stopped all reimbursement expenditures. No employee may use their personal check or credit card to make purchases and expect reimbursement.

· Reduced Tribal costs by denying frivolous expenditures.

· Reduced Tribal travel costs by 90% implementing stricter controls.

· Wal-Mart credit card purchases have been abused. An employee was terminated for making personal purchases on the Wal-Mart credit card. No employee can receive the Wal-Mart credit card without an authorized purchase order identifying purchases.

· Budget fringe and insurance costs were estimated inaccurately and resulted in the Tribe making up the difference. Updated budget fringe and insurance costs to identify accurate cost estimates that are true costs have been implemented.

· In 2008 the increasing Attorney fees were discussed with the Fallon Business Council. It was determined the Chairman, Secretary and Employee Resources Director were the only persons authorized to contact the Attorney. The Chairman and Secretary could authorize additional contact with the Attorney. Unauthorized Attorney contact would be billed back to the program contacting the Attorney.

· Abolished all open ended purchase orders. All purchased orders are required to have specific products, amounts and deadlines. The auditors discovered three questionable open ended purchase orders – (1) purchase order opened in 2004 and has not been reconciled or closed out. (2) Open ended purchase order was used to purchase $6,500 in kitchen cabinets on another programs budget. (3) Open ended purchase order was used to lease two vans for $1,600 per month two years past their lease date (money used directly out of settlement funds).

· Restrict all credit card purchases. For several years all credit card transactions were issued on the CFO’s personal $80,000 limit credit card. The CFO used the Tribe’s credit rating and settlement funds to secure his credit card. The CFO retained all airline miles and credit card perks for his personal use. Credit cards have since been issued for Council members. The developed Credit Card Policy directs the Treasurer to retain physical custody and monitor every expenditure to be reconciled monthly.

· Previously, the settlement fund earnings were deposited directly into the General Fund. I am now following the Settlement Plan by reinvesting revenues, loan payments and interest earned back into the Settlement Fund for future growth.

· Created multiple new bank accounts to deposit applicable funds for ease of monitoring balances; and not deposited and expended out of the General Fund.

· In the past, the CFO moved Settlement Funds on his signature alone authorized by the previous council. A Policy and Procedure is now in place with the Banks and the Settlement Fund Consultant that requires two Council Officer’s signatures to move Settlement Funds. I have also directed the Secretary to issue Resolutions for all Settlement Fund transactions, withdrawals and expenditures.

· In Fall 2009, I directed the President, FTDC to pay tax revenues to the Tribe as mandated by their Federal Charter. The President, FTDC and the CFO had reported tax revenues as income to operate Fox Peak Station for the past several years totaling over $1M per year.

· With the FTDC Board, I initiated “Cash Back At The Pump” for instant savings for Native Americans buying gas at Fox Peak Stations. Deleted check reimbursements to Tribal Members twice a year.

Additionally the following changes are currently in progress to be implemented within 12 months:

· Revise the budget process and scheduled on an annual basis.

· Create an accurate “chart of accounts”. Delete unnecessary categories, i.e., “Other”. Several departments have large cash categories labeled “Other” in their 2009 budget.

· Implement a timekeeping system which accurately tracks and matches employee’s work with salary accounts.

· Create and implement a true procurement system that will accurately track Tribal Programs purchases through a Procurement Officer to monitor program budgets and grants for allowable purchases. Additionally construction bids will be submitted to the Procurement Officer to alleviate selection of “friendly cronies”, i.e., the last four major construction bids on the reservation were awarded to a single “connected” bidder.

· Abolish petty cash system that has been a source of mismanagement and abuse.

· Re-structure the Finance Department by assigning job duties to certain positions. Hire a Comptroller instead of a CFO, and hire additional staff to handle the workload.

I will submit any mismanagement of tribal funds to the Tribal Prosecutor for criminal or civil prosecution. Mismanagement of Federal funds will be submitted to the U. S. Attorney General for criminal prosecution.

With the changes already made and additional changes planned for the future, the Tribe is moving forward in becoming a professional organization to benefit the Fallon Business Council, the FPS Tribe, and the Tribal Membership.

I am aware of the negative rumors being spread through the Reservation. Because of the many questions about Finance I have scheduled an open public meeting on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers at Tribal Administration. I hope you plan to attend the Public Meeting on August 26. At that time, I and my staff will answer as many questions and concerns as we can. I will do my best to answer any questions you have.

I have tried to clarify the problems and explain in detail the corrective measures put into operation. I want Tribal members to know the truth. My door is always open and I urge you to meet with me and ask questions.

Thank you.

Locations:

Elko– 1543 Silver Eagle Drive

Fallon– 8951 Mission Road

Lovelock– 117 Etha Drive

Moapa- #5 Lincoln Street

Nixon– 191 W Pyramid Lake Road

Owyhee– New Town Sub Division St. Rt. 225

Schurz- #1 Toh Bah Pah

Wadsworth– 380 Pyramid Street

Wells– 518 Dover Street

Yerington– 626 Bovard Street

Enrollment Process:

Applications For Enrollment May Be Obtained At Your Local Itcn Head Start Center, Or by Contacting Janine Barlese @ 775.355.0600 Ext 104, P.O. Box 7440, Reno NV 89510. Applications Will Not Be Processed Without These Documents!

Please Include The Following With Your Child’s Application:

Your Child’s Birth Certificate

Your Child’s Current Immunization Record

Your Family’s Income Verification

Your Child’s Social Security Card

Your Child’s Enrollment Card (If Applicable)

Apply Now, Space Is Limited! Head Start Staff Will Be Recruiting Door-To –Door In Your Area Soon! Services Are Available For Children With Disabilites

Head Start Provides Children with Activities That Help Them Grow Mentally, Socially, Emotionally, And Physically ~

CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE

Allen, Jackie

Lucero, Jenevie

Nihoa, Ermert

HOUSING AUTHORITY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Allen, Janet

Allen, Rosalie

Nihoa, David

Strawbuck, Jonell

Thomas, Sharon

LAW AND ORDER COMMITTEE

Allen, Rosalie

Nihoa, Ermert

Rogers, Lenora “Dudie”

June 16              Audit Meeting with Council

June 18              Audit Meeting with Council

June 22              Regular Council Meeting

June 22              Closed Council Meeting

June 24              Special Council Meeting – CANCELLED

July 01              Special Council Meeting on Housing

July 01              Special Council Meeting on Ballot/Tribunal

July 12              Special Council Meeting

July 13 Regular Council Meeting - CANCELLED

Council Decisions

Approved multiple Monthly Program Reports.

Approved multiple grant applications – Teenage Pregnancy Prevention, Tobacco Control, Doula Initiative, Community Transportation, Home Visiting, Ethnic Approaches, Sodium Reduction, Meth Initiative.

Approved multiple job descriptions:  Dental Hygienist, Dental Assistant, Dental Receptionist.

Approved multiple Regular Council Meeting Minutes – June 8, 2010; and February 10, February 24, May 26, July 28, and November 10, 2009.

Approved a Pharmacy Technician Training Agreement for the Fallon Tribal Health Clinic to become a training site.

Approved one Early Per Capita request.

Authorized an agreement with Automated Election Services for automated counting of the ballots.

Based on the Tribe’s auditors recommendation, hired a consultant to reconcile all financial records in preparation to finalize the Tribe’s audits.

Selected three applicants for Judges in the Election Challenge Hearing(s).

Re-instated the Housing Board of Commissioners and begin advertising.

Renewed Tribal insurance.

Reviewed twenty (20) submitted Constitutional Amendments and Advisory Questions; sent ten (10) to the Tribal Attorney for wording and recommendation

Abla Jr., John

Almberg, Jennifer

Baltazar, Cody

Baltazar-French, Melanie

Blake, Pauline

Ceccarelli, Gina

Clevenger, Shonna

Cochran, Kathleen

Garcia, Setorro

Garcia, Thedoro

Greene, Brandy

Gremich, Trudy

Hall, Tricia

Hernandez, Celia

Howell, Donna

Kelly, John

Lewis, Frank

Owens, Patrick

Rager, Rykki

Randall, Ashlee

Reyes- Garcia, Jose

Ridley, Amber

Rinaudo, Venessa

Rix, Richard

Sittingdown, Micah

Smith, Shawna

Starlight, Charlane

Street III, James

Street, Lorna

Street, Ryan

Tafoya Jr., Patricio

Tanner, Audrey Austin

Valencia, Jeremy

Williams, Annisia C.