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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2002)
NOTICES Proposed Tribal Council Salary by Jessie Davis, Vice Chairman 6. To be knowledgeable of and actively involved in negotiating gaming compacts An ad-hoc committee composed of Administrative Officer Sharon Edenfield, Human Resources Manager Michele Rowan, and Tribal Council members Lillie with the state within the requirements of IGRA 7. To effectively deal with the National Indian Gaming Commission on Butler and myself was assigned the responsibility of conducting a study on and recommending to Tribal Council a fair and equitable salary for the Tribal Council. controversial gaming issues Our recommendation was approved by Tribal Council and is now subject to General 8. To oversee the Gaming Board, which in turn ensures that Chinooks Winds Council approval. complies with the tribal/state compact, policies and minimum internal controls It’s been 13 years since a ballot measure on Tribal Council compensation has of NIGC, and the gaming ordinance been taken to the general membership. On Oct. 21, 1989, Resolution No. 90-06 9. To serve as the Board of Directors of the housing program was referred to ballot. This increased the salary from $5 an hour to $7.31 per hour 10. To serve as the Board of Directors of the tribal health program with cost of living allowances (COLA) increases. Over the 13 years with COLA, 11. To participate in the legislatively established Oregon Commission on Indian our present salary increased to $9.83. Services; to work with state agencies on a govemment-to-govemmenr basis, What’s the proposed salary for Tribal Council members? Based on our making certain Gov. John Kitzhaber’s executive order (960-30_ and codified study, the ad-hoc committee recommended a proposed annual salary of $45,000. in SB 771) is ongoing This is comparable to Tribal Level 11, step 6, which would include cost of living 12. To identify the need for, discuss, and adopt tribal policies, ordinances, and increases and certain fringe benefits: 1) medical and dental insurance, 2) life codes relative to environment, housing, education, economic development, and other issues insurance, and 3) eligibility to participate in the tribe’s 401K plan. Unlike tribal employees, however, council members won’t be eligible for annual or sick leave, 13. To oversee the Siletz Tribal Gaming Regulatory Agency (STGRA) and the paid holidays, or overtime. Gaming Commission to ensure these entities carry out the responsibilities How much are Siletz council members currently paid? Siletz council with maximum autonomy and flexibility. Review, revise, and adopt STGRA members are paid $9.83 per hour, about $3 more than the minimum wage. The standards, policies, ordinances, and procedures $9.83 equals about $20,000 annually. 14. To participate in the BIA and IHS budget process and self-governance contract How does the council salary compare with the salaries paid to Siletz Tribal negotiations (through the council’s efforts, the Siletz Tribe was among the staff? The present council salary of $9.83 is comparable to the tribe’s beginning first 20 in the nation to be designated as a SG tribe) Level 4, which is less than the first step 15. To respond to the needs of of a Level 5, which includes such members who live outside the It ’ s been 13 years since a ballot measure on Tribal Council positions as maintenance workers, clerks, 11-county service area; to adopt compensation has been taken to the general membership. On and receptionists. policies, programs, and funding to Oct. 21,1989, Resolution No. 90-06 was referred to ballot. This How does the salary paid to the address their needs, taking into increased the salary from $5 an hour to $7.31 per hour with cost Siletz Tribal Council compare with consideration tribal program and of living allowances (COLA) increases. Over the 13 years with funding constraints other Oregon tribes? Our survey COLA, our present salary increased to $9.83. 16. To serve (individual council revealed that council members of other members) as liaison to tribal Oregon tribes are paid between $18 and committees, i.e. health, education, culture, social services, natural $50 per hour, which equals annual salaries of $37,440 to $104,000. resources, etc. From what source will the increased council salary be paid? Twenty-five 17. In addition to regular duties, to be actively represented in regional and national percent will come from timber revenue, 25 percent from indirect costs (tribal Indian organizations, such as the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, NIG A, administrative costs), and 50 percent from gaming revenue, specifically from the and NCAI. When attending NCAI meetings, to be involved in subcommittees Tribal Government Operations category. This will not affect the General Welfare - finance, banking and taxation; housing; business and employment; category or per capita payments. transportation and infrastructure; energy and mineral policy; environmental What are the responsibilities of council members that warrant an increase and land use; agriculture and water rights; telecommunications; tribal gaming; in pay? The Tribal Council position description is not new. We’ve been performing jurisdiction and tribal government; human, religious and cultural concerns; these duties for the past 10 years. Specific functions, however, are described below. health; education; Indian child and family welfare; disabilities; and elders. To carry out the governmental functions of a sovereign Indian Tribe in the tribe’s relationships with the U.S. government, the state of Oregon, and other Indian tribes; to negotiate inter-governmental agreements, i.e. Lincoln City and municipal services for Chinook Winds 2. To hire, suspend, promote, fire, and provide general supervision over the general manager and certain other supervised staff 3. To analyze and take action on the tribe’s budget of more than $24 million annually; to take action on budget recommendations of the general manager and department heads. Council members must be knowledgeable about and act on individual program and budget needs. 4. To be involved in local, state, and national Indian issues that impact or have the potential to impact the Siletz Tribe, including such issues as trust and taxation, threats to tribal sovereignty, etc. 5. To be knowledgeable of special BIA and IHS regulations, such as the Resource Allocation Plan (RAP), and to ensure that the tribe complies with such regulations 1. 22 □ SiletzNews □ December 2002 Conclusion: Based on the ad-hoc committee’s study, it was determined that the council salary should be at least comparable to the tribe’s Level 11, step 6, at $45,000, with certain benefits specified above, except that council members will not be eligible for sick or annual leave, paid holidays, or overtime. This recommendation is based on a study of the salaries paid to tribal staff and Tribal Councils of other tribes, including Oregon tribes. Unlike tribal employees who are responsible for their individual program duties, the Tribal Council’s responsibility is all-encompassing - for integrating all programs under one tribal umbrella. The proposed salary is reasonable, equitable, and we believe worthy of tribal support. The adoption of this proposed salary may have the added benefit of attracting candidates for Tribal Council who are willing and able to serve who otherwise could not afford to serve. We welcome any comments and suggestions you may have regarding this proposal.
