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Tribal Council approves first step of reorganization

PABLO - On Tuesday, March 4, the Tribal Council officially approved the first step of reorganization in the CSKT Tribal Government.

Since 1978, the growth of Tribal government has resulted in over 1,000 full-time employees and an operating budget of over $150 million per year. The Tribal Council wants a Tribal government that is cost-conscious, and also effective at delivering services. Over the past year, the Tribal Council and Tribal Administration staff has worked with The Johnson Strategy Group, Inc., to review and refine the structure of Tribal government. Discussions have been held on leadership roles, how Tribal members are provided services by the Tribal government, and program outcomes. Managers of Tribal departments have also been involved in this strategic planning process.

In making changes to the Tribal government structure, the Tribal Council began with the top level. For the past 30 years, the Tribal Government has had an Executive Secretary and Executive Treasurer. These key positions are responsible for carrying out major policy decisions of the Tribal Council. Both positions have numerous programs and employees reporting to them.

Tribal staff and The Johnson Strategy Group reviewed and analyzed the various functions that are carried out by the Executive Secretary and Executive Treasurer. Similar and related functions were grouped. Next, different organization models were developed for review and discussion by the Tribal Council. On January 29, 2008, the Tribal Council adopted an organizational concept of four administrative offices: Office of Legislative Services, Office of Tribal Services, Office of Financial Management, and Office of Administrative Services. On March 4, 2008, the four-office concept was approved through the adoption of official position descriptions.

On Thursday, March 6, the Tribal Council filled two of the Office Director positions through appointment of Jane Clairmont to the Office of Administrative Services and Vern Clairmont to the Office of Financial Management. Jane has served the Tribes for over 40 years, primarily in contracts, grants, and budget management and is currently serving as the Acting Executive Secretary. Vern has served the Tribes for over 30 years, primarily in accounting, financial, investment, and property management. The Tribal Council action is the first step in administrative realignment, which will take several months to complete.

The other two Office Directors - Legislative Services and Tribal Services - will be competitively filled through open advertisement.

The Tribal Council will continue its strategic planning with the next level of Tribal government, which is a review and analysis of the nine Tribal departments.

Realignment of both the administrative and departmental level has been discussed with Tribal department heads and in some community district meetings. The goal is quicker response to legislation, situations, opportunities and internal communications and problems. More details will be shared as the implementation schedule and details are developed. Clearly, the need to plan for continued decline in available federal funding is a consideration as the Tribal Council continues to evaluate all budgeted functions and outcomes.

Declining federal budgets and the need to diversify Tribal revenues is being addressed by Tribal Council authorization of a nationwide search for a Director of Economic Development. The addition of this position also increases the capacity of the organization to respond to opportunities to diversify and increase revenues. The importance of this job cannot be over stated. That job announcement closed on 02/15/08 and a preliminary screening has been done. Over thirty applicants applied for the job. More information will be released as the recruitment process proceeds.

A survey form is provided by clicking here if you wish to make comment on the continuing strategic planning efforts. Those who do not want to use the form may email comments and concerns to nancys@cskt.org. All survey forms and emails will be shared with the Tribal Council for their consideration.