VICE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Increased Compensation
for Tribal Council
Once again, the Tribal Council will
bring before the general membership
a ballot measure on Feb. 7, 2004, to
increase the compensation of Tribal
Council members.
It’s been 14 years since council
compensation was increased. The pro
posed ballot measure will increase
council pay to $15.77 an hour,
equivalent to the tribe’s administrative
assistant position (level 9).
The proposed salary increase will
not reduce per capita payments nor, in
any way negatively affect tribal
programs. Thirty-five percent of the
excess pledge gaming revenues
(amount of money transferred to the
tribe after debt service and operational
costs) will continue to be committed to
per capitas. The increase will be
charged to the following:
25 percent to timber revenues
25 percent to indirect costs (tribal
administration costs)
50 percent to Chinook Winds
operational expenses
Why is the increased compensa
tion for council members fair?
Council duties have increased and
become more complex. In years gone
by, council members met only on the
third Saturday of every month. But now,
in addition to the regularly scheduled
council meetings, members must attend
board and special council meetings and
workshops, and participate in meetings
of the tribe’s standing, ad hoc, and
other subcommittees.
They must also be actively involved
in state, regional, and national organi
zations. It’s no longer possible to
perform council member duties by
attending meetings just once or twice a
month. Council member must:
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Perform governmental functions in
relation to federal, state, local, and
other tribal governments
Negotiate intergovernmental
agreements, such as for municipal
services
Exercise general supervision over
the general manager of the Siletz
Tribe and, as appropriate, exercise
oversight over economic develop
ment, natural, social, and cultural
resources programs
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Be knowledgeable of, and oversee,
the tribal budget and processes;
with the general manager, analyze
tribal and individual program
budgets totaling more than $64
million annually
Be knowledgeable of federal, state,
and tribal gaming regulatory require
ments, and deal effectively with the
National Indian Gaming Commis
sion on controversial gaming issues
Oversee Chinook Winds manage
ment and the Siletz Tribal Gaming
Regulatory Agency, ensuring that
all federal, state, and tribal policies,
regulations, and ordinances are
formulated and complied with
Serve on the boards of directors of
health and housing
Work with state agencies on a
govemment-to-govemment basis
Participate in regional and national
Indian organizations, such as the
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest
Indians (ATNI), the National
Indian Gaming Association
(NIGA), and the National Congress
of American Indians (NCAI); and
participate in subcommittees on
intertribal issues and specifically as
they affect or have the potential
of affecting the Siletz Tribe, i.e.,
financial/banking, business and
employment, transportation, environ
mental and land use, water rights,
health, education, etc.
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Jessie Davis
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planning sessions, budget hearings, and
strategic planning approximately 10 to
15 days a month. This isn’t counting
quarterly attendance at ATNI or NCAI,
nor does it include standing committee
meetings or subcommittees to which
Tribal Council members may be
assigned. Regular council meetings are
held over two days, usually on Fridays
and Saturdays.
In summary, the proposed
compensation increase:
*
Is fair, reasonable, and in line with
council salaries of other tribes and
with the Siletz Tribal employee
salary scale
Will attract candidates who could
not serve because of financial reasons
Will attract more candidates for
council who possess the knowl
edge, experience, ability, and desire
to serve
Will attract candidates who are
willing to commit as much time as
needed to fulfill council duties
Will continue to be funded from
timber, administrative, and mainly
gaming revenues
Will not negatively affect funding
of tribal programs and services or
per capita payments
The Tribal Council, by unanimous
vote on Nov. 14, 2003, adopted a
resolution to recommend to the general
membership that council compensation
be increased to $15.77 per hour.
The Tribal Council hopes that tribal
members will give serious and favor
able consideration to the proposed
compensation increase as they cast their
votes on the Feb. 7 tribal election.
What assurance is there that
council members will perform
their duties?
First of all, council members must
comply with the duties as written in
their position descriptions. Also, they
must comply with the revised Ethics
Ordinance and the Council Rules of
Procedure. A process exists in the
Council Rules of Procedure for dealing
with violations or non-compliance.
Council members must complete
and submit accurate timesheets, which
will continue to be published for the
Tribal Council and all tribal members
to carefully scrutinize and monitor.
Council duties have increased sub
stantially and become more complex.
It’s no longer possible to hold meetings
only on weekends and evenings.
Business needs to be conducted during
the day. On an average for the past
couple of years, council has held
regular council meetings, workshops,
Judy Martinson and several children at the Tenas lllahee Child Care Center
immediately start enjoying the quilts donated by the Oregon Coast Quilter's
Guild in October. The guild received $2,550for materials from the Siletz
Tribal Charitable Contributions Committee in August 2003. Judi Cooper
and Dolores Wagner brought the quilts to the child care center and also
delivered some to the tribe's Indian Child Welfare Department for children
involved with this program.
Décerrtber 2003 □
Sifetz News
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