Upon assuming office, we identified proposed expenditures that significantly exceed the authorized budget for fiscal year 2027. To ensure compliance with Osage Nation law, we began a comprehensive review of all departmental budgets.
I want to be transparent about what we found and the challenges before us. The administration inherited a budget authorization of approximately $60 million, while submitted budget requests totaled nearly $98 million. To comply with Osage Nation law and fulfill our responsibility as stewards of the Nation's resources, we must identify approximately $38 million in reductions.
At the same time, we are addressing vacancies in several critical leadership positions, including Attorney General, Treasurer, and Human Resources Director.
Despite these challenges, the work of your government continues, and our administration remains focused on ensuring stability, continuity, and effective service to the Osage people.
This week, Osage Nation Secretaries, Directors, staff, and support personnel came together in a united effort to address these fiscal realities and place our government on a sustainable path forward. Their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to public service have been instrumental as we undertake the difficult but necessary work of identifying efficiencies, prioritizing essential services, and developing a lawful and balanced budget.
These decisions are not easy, but our responsibility is clear. We must protect the services our citizens depend upon, preserve the long-term financial health of the Nation, and ensure that every dollar entrusted to this administration is managed with integrity, accountability, and purpose.
We are doing the work. We are making difficult decisions. And we are committed to building a stronger, more accountable, and financially sustainable future for the Osage Nation. Through collaboration, transparency, and disciplined leadership, we will meet these challenges and emerge stronger on the other side.