The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approved an $887 million comprehensive budget for fiscal year 2019 during its monthly meeting last Monday.

The budget includes an $11.6 million total increase for health centers in Jay, Muskogee, Nowata, Ochelata, Salina, Sallisaw, Stilwell and Vinita; a $522,000 total increase for the immersion school; and a continued emphasis on children, family and elder services. The fiscal year 2019 budget also includes a $95,000 increase for a full-time district court judge.

“I commend my colleagues on the Tribal Council for their diligence in reviewing and working with Chief Baker’s office to pass the fiscal year 2019 budget. I especially want to thank our chairperson, Tribal Councilor Janees Taylor, for her leadership in the process,” said Tribal Councilor Keith Austin, co-chairperson of the Tribal Council Executive and Finance Committee. “It is apparent what our tribe values when looking at the upcoming year’s budget and that does not deviate from past budgets. We make it a point to invest our resources in health care, education and services that improve the lives of our people.”

The tribe’s new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

In other business, the legislative body also took the following actions:

Re-elected Tribal Councilor Frankie Hargis as secretary of the Tribal Council. Hargis has served as a Tribal Councilor since 2011.

Confirmed the reappointment of James Simmons as a commissioner of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.

Confirmed the appointment of Dianna Mayfield as a commissioner of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.

Authorized the donation of surplus office equipment to Orchard Road Community Outreach, Boys & Girls Club of Adair County, Boys & Girls Club of Delaware County and Native American Fellowship Inc.

The next Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.