Nya:wëh sgë:nö’,
Happy Fall everyone! I’m happy to announce our Fiscal year 2024 budget was approved at a Special Council Session on September 22, 2023. As I briefly presented in previous articles this process began in June 2022. Council and executives held 18 budget review meetings in preparation for approval.
In preparing the budget, key assumptions were applied to the budget model for 2024. Revenues include distributions from SGC, SG&E, Seneca One Stops, Seneca Holdings as the major distributors revenues to the budget. Miscellaneous revenue also includes Highbanks/Museum, Import/Export, SGA reimbursements and other business permit revenues in an aggregate total of approximately $219 M.
Expenditure key assumptions applied to the budget include Cost Center 12-month budgets, direct benefits to enrolled members, a COLA wage adjustment of 4% (with some exceptions) for all active employees and vacant positions, employee health insurance benefits, and other miscellaneous expenditures including emergent funds, scholarships, General administration costs (insurance, utilities, etc.) in an aggregate approximate total of $214 M.
In brief overview, the majority of revenue is derived from Land leases, SGC distributions, SGA reimbursements, and SG&E LLC and SOS, LLC transfers. The majority of budget expenditures are in direct benefits including Annuity, elders, disability and burial funds, General Administration, Seneca Gaming Authority (SGA) costs and Public works.
Nya:wëh to Council and Executives for your due diligence in balancing a budget which services Seneca Families through beneficial programming and direct benefits to Seneca members.
A copy of the budget breakdown chart can be reviewed at the Clerk’s office.
As always,
Stay safe, stay strong, Dah ne’hoh dih ae’,
Matthew B. Pagels
