OKMULGEE, Okla. (AP) — Leaders with the Muscogee Creek Nation are working to address an $18 million shortfall in the tribe's gaming budget for the 2016 fiscal year.
Principal Chief George Tiger addressed members of the tribe's National Council during an emergency meeting Thursday night. Tiger says he hopes the council takes the issue seriously because a budget must be approved before the federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
The Tulsa World reports that the Creek tribe has recently grown by 13 percent to 79,520 members. But Tiger says the larger population means a greater demand for services.
The majority of the tribe's services are paid for through its gaming revenue budget. The tribe says it will fall about $18.7 million short of its gaming budget of about $85.1 million.