Secretary-Treasurer

May 2025 Secretary-Treasurer Report

Aanin Boohoo,
Greeting White Earth Members, I have the honor of serving as the Secretary/Treasurer position for the White Earth Tribal Council and this is my 2nd Quarter report ending March 31, 2025. Our Fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025.

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
Due to the fiscal year dates, the RBC must have a general fund budget in place by Sept. 30, 2024. This budget was approved by the Tribal Council and adopted by resolution on Sept. 27, 2024. The approved FY2025 budget is $28,578,630. The budget approved accounts for revenues in the amount of $25,444,188 which consists of State of Minnesota Tax revenue and Minnesota State Impact Aid funding, casino distribution and among other revenue resources. This expenditure is incurred for departments that operate more for the good of the band members than to make a profit. These include education, public safety, general government, human services, public works, economic development, and culture among others. This allows for a budget deficit of $3,134,442 which will be funded by distributions from the Shooting Star Casino. This deficit includes all capital expenses.

General Fund
This quarter FY2025 budget for governmental activities ending Dec. 31, 2024, is $28.57 million with expenses at $10.64 million with a balance of $17.93 million. Total land purchases are $ 5.9 million and capital purchases $18,998.

Gaming
Consolidated revenue for Mahnomen, Bagley, and all other gaming revenue for the 2nd Fiscal Quarter of FY2025, ending March 31, 2025, was $27.8 million. The consolidated expenses for the quarter were $24.6 million. Consolidated net income for the quarter was $3.2 million; Mahnomen is $2.7 million, and Bagley is $471,000.

The budget throughout the 2nd Fiscal Quarter was $58.1 million of revenue and $53.1 million in expenses for a budgeted net income of $5.1 million for the second quarter of FY2025. YTD Revenue was $1.7n million higher than the budget while expenses were $3.1 million lower than budget resulting in net income being $1.4 million higher than budget.

The Bagley Casino for the 2nd quarter ending March 31, 2025, earned $2.7 million in revenue with expenditures of $2.3 million. Bagley Casino has a net income for the quarter of $506,000.

Shooting Star Casino cash on hand on March 31, 2025, was $75.3 million. The cash on hand at the close of the last fiscal year, Sept. 30, 2024, was $75.2 million. After Shooting Star Casino capital improvement spending and distributions to the White Earth RBC, cash has increased by $0.1 million during the first half of the fiscal 2025.

The unaudited preliminary numbers are subject to change as the numbers are finalized.

ARPA (Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund)
This quarter FY2025 ARPA funds a cash balance of $6.32 million with $4.68 million in expenses with revenues balance of $11 million.

Other Grant Funds
In this quarter of FY2025, we recorded $74.54 million in other grant funding while recording $34.30 million in other grant funding while recording $34.30 million in expenditures. The other grant funds consist of grants from the federal, state, and local funding agencies. The funds are meant for a specific program, service, or activity and must be budgeted as such.

Behavioral Health
In this quarter of FY2025, we accounted for $15.11 million in revenue while recording $18.25 million in expenditure. The ending cash balance in Behavioral Health funds is $50.27 million, in addition, there is an investment account of $15 million.

Youth and Elder Funds
In this quarter of FY25, we have $384,726 in revenue while recording $54,039 in expenditure. This leaves us with a cash balance of $330,687.

Travel Update
Attended the Tribal/Interior Budget Council meeting, along with our Self-Governance Coordinator Nakoa Graff in Washington, D.C., on March 10-13. I attended these subcommittee meetings: Education, Transportation, Budget, Public Safety and Justice, Land Water, and Natural Resources and Data.

I attend the TIBC Main Session and the Tribal Caucus meeting with Tribal leaders.

I attend the 50 years of Tribal Self- Determination and Self-Governance Conference along with Self-Governance Coordinator Nakoa Graf at Wild Horse Pass Gila River Resort and Casino, Ariz. I attend all sessions of Self-Governance and Self-Determination and all the history. I also attended all listening sessions. The Tiwahe Initiative Update by Red Lake Nation was very informative and good for the increased funding for White Earth Nation.

Waabigwan Financial Update
The RBC met with the Waagigwan board of directors and administrators and talked about Revenue Allocation and Updating the Tribal members on Financial data. I suggested we have a Tribal members only meeting with a presentation on Waagigwan's financials. This meeting will take place sometime next month.

Local Meeting Attended
I attend the following monthly meetings: Gaming Commission, Council of Elders, White Earth Enterprise Board, and Waabigwan Mashkiki Board. I attend the Minnesota Governors update meetings every Thursday of the month and attended the monthly Consultation meeting with Minnesota Commissioner's per State Law 1065.

I would also like to say that I have been holding all divisions in line to stay within their approved budgets or come in under these approved budgets. The last two years we have been under budget with no budget amendments.

In closing I want to thank the members of the White Earth Nation for giving me this opportunity to serve as the Secretary/Treasurer for this great nation. I look forward to moving forward with great progress and optimism and I hope we can work together for a brighter future.
Miigwech!
Michael J. LaRoque
Secretary-Treasurer