TAX DEPARTMENT - Hours of Operation are from 8am to 12noon and 1pm to 5pm, Monday thru Friday
Reminder - Offices will be closed for Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, 2008.
Reorganization Transfers Tax Office to Pawnee Nation
Pawnee, OK (August 20, 2008) – On Wednesday, August 13, the Pawnee Business Council voted to remove the Tax Commission’s oversight of the Tax Office and place the Tax Office under the authority of the Pawnee Nation. This move is part of a capacity-building plan that will strengthen the government’s ability to exercise local control and decision-making over tribal resources, which in turn will benefit citizens of the Pawnee Nation through improved funding of health, education, social service, cultural preservation, and other programs vital to the success and well-being of the Pawnee Nation as a tribal community.
While under the authority of the Tax Commission, operations of the Tax Office often failed to reflect the service-oriented goals and objectives set forth by the Pawnee Nation’s elected officials. Furthermore, because revenues generated by the Tax Office were largely inaccessible to the Pawnee Nation, many programs and services for Pawnee tribal members did not receive adequate funding. In order to better serve and meet the needs of Pawnee citizens, the Pawnee Business Council removed the Tax Commission’s oversight of the Tax Office and placed the Tax Office under the authority of the Pawnee Nation.
As part of the Pawnee Nation’s newly formed Division of Finance, operations of the Tax Office will now focus on the efficient, effective, and respectful provision of services to Pawnee citizens. Furthermore, revenues of the Tax Office are now subject to oversight by the Pawnee Nation, which will ensure fiscal accountability and responsibility. According to Pawnee Business Council President George Howell, “We don’t want to be irresponsible in the use of these much needed dollars. We want to make sure that funds are going where they are most needed and will make the greatest impact for our people.”
On Tuesday, August 19, the Tax Office reopened under the authority of the Pawnee Nation. The Tax Office is currently located in Building #1 (the Old Agency Building) at 490 Agency Road in Pawnee, OK. The phone number is (918) 762-3624.