Navajo Nation Council to investigate employee use of tribal vehicles

By Ryan Hall The Daily Times

FARMINGTON — A request by Navajo Nation Council Delegate Ernest Yazzie Jr. to stop the practice of tribal employees driving tribal vehicles to and from work will be looked at, according to George Hardeen, communications director for Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.

In a letter to Shirley dated Aug. 19, Yazzie wrote that tribal employees, with the exception of public safety personnel, who drove their vehicles from home to work were making an unnecessary use of funds and resources.

He said with the recent increases in the cost of gas and vehicle insurance, the Nation can not afford to have the vehicles driven for any reason other than official business.

“(I’ve seen it) every day. They might be in Farmington right now,” Yazzie said Tuesday via phone. “It is a waste, let’s just throw money in the trash.”

He added that every tribal entity outside of law enforcement, including the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and the Navajo House Authority should be included in the executive order.

“It’s the whole Nation, as I see it. (The employees) shouldn’t have all that privilege to themselves,” Yazzie said.

Hardeen acknowledged Tuesday via phone that there had been incidents of abuse, but employees are often requested to drive tribal vehicles home rather than leave them in office parking lots as a security measure.

“This is not a new issue, since there have been tribal vehicles, tribal employees have taken them home,” he said. “Otherwise, they’ll be vandalized.”

Hardeen added that smashed windows, missing parts and other acts of vandalism could easily cost the Nation as much or more as paying for the gas and insurance required for an employee to take the vehicle home.

“For the very reasons Mr. Yazzie cites in his letter, tribal employees assigned to vehicles have been asked to take them home to protect them,” Hardeen said.

He added the request had been looked at as a cost cutting measure. As a result, a directive has been issued asking department heads to assess the need for vehicles and consider alternative transportation, have employees watch driving habits and follow all traffic laws and to have maintenance performed on the vehicles to maintain fuel efficiency.

Hardeen said the administration appreciated Yazzie “being with us on this issue,” but that the situation did not call for an executive order.

“That may be a little more than is necessary Hardeen said.

Yazzie added he had not heard from Shirley since submitting his request.

“I’m still waiting for him, maybe he’s scared,” Yazzie said.

He noted if he didn’t receive the “appropriate” response from Shirley, he might pursue a legislative solution.