During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the status of various funding programs and their implications for the upcoming fiscal year. A significant focus was placed on the popular back-to-school clothing program, which has seen a decrease in funding. Officials expressed concern over this reduction and indicated plans to explore options for increasing support in FY 25, particularly for Cherokee citizens both on and off the reservation.

The meeting also highlighted the impact of expiring federal funds, specifically from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the CARES Act, which have been instrumental in supporting food distribution and utility assistance programs. With utility costs soaring in Eastern Oklahoma, officials acknowledged an uptick in requests for assistance and discussed the potential for utilizing federal resources to address these needs.

Additionally, the registration department reported a projected increase in new citizen registrations, although the numbers are expected to be lower than the previous year. This decline is attributed to the department catching up on backlogs, ensuring that citizens receive timely services. The registration team plans to enhance outreach efforts, including more photo ID events, to better serve communities across the reservation.

Overall, the discussions underscored the challenges posed by funding limitations and rising costs, while also emphasizing the commitment to support citizens through various programs and initiatives.