TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation increased its 2015 operating budget from $615.4 million to $622.9 million Monday during the December Tribal Council meeting. The increased funding comes from fiscal year 2014 carryover funds.

The additional $7.5 million will provide $2.1 million to staff new jobs and operate the new Ochelata Health Center, as well as $2.2 million to add personnel at other Cherokee Nation health facilities. The Cherokee Nation health center in Bartlesville currently occupies a 5,000-square-foot storefront space but will move into a new stand-alone facility in Ochelata that encompasses 28,000 square feet.

“Providing Cherokee citizens with quality health care is the top priority of this body, and in order to achieve that goal we must ensure our health facilities employ staff that will meet the health needs of the citizens,” said Speaker of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council Tina Glory-Jordan, of Hulbert. “We not only want to build first-class health care facilities, but we want to staff the facilities with first-class personnel. This increase in funds helps the Cherokee Nation work toward that goal.”

Some of the increased budget is earmarked to fund additional child care resources for Cherokee Nation citizens who meet income guidelines. The $2.7 million increase will help working parents with child care costs.

In other business, the Tribal Council increased the 2015 capital budget to $124.5 million. A $4.8 million increase will be used to buy medical equipment for the four new Cherokee Nation health centers currently under construction.

“Big, aesthetically pleasing health care facilities are only as good as the equipment and staff inside,” said Deputy Speaker of the Tribal Council Janelle Fullbright, of Sallisaw. “By increasing funding for staff and earmarking money for medical equipment, the Cherokee Nation is making it known the tribe is committed to the health of its citizens. We continue to make great strides in health care and are ensuring our citizens have access to the best health care possible.”

The next Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Jan. 12, at the W.W. Keeler Complex in Tahlequah.