Utes to vote Thursday on tribal financial issues

The ordinance says that "there will be a direct relationship between the cost of tribal government and the level of distributions made to tribal members."

Cesspooch believes the vote has been thrust upon tribal members without providing time to adequately inform them about what they will be voting on or educating them on its implications.

"It is put on fast track, and these are important issues," he said. "They are going to push it through mainly to have the same (Business Committee) people re-elected."

Jurrius' contract would cover two more of the tribe's elections, making it difficult for anyone who opposes the controversial financial adviser to gain a foothold politically, he said. Jurrius had said earlier that he would stay with the tribe no longer than five years, which would have meant his employment would end at the conclusion of 2006.

The ordinance — which first began being discussed publicly about two weeks ago — promises approximately $2,150 in monthly dividends to the tribe's elders, the approximately 50 people age 65 and older on tribal rolls. The measure says that monthly dividends will also be distributed to tribal members under age 65 in available amounts, using specific formulas, after government operating costs are covered and after the elders receive their dividends.

Money for tribal members under age 18 would go into trust funds and become available to them only upon turning 18.

Business Committee members were unavailable for comment.

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