The council postponed the scheduled hearing on Oct. 1 because of the government shutdown, municipal council chief of staff Steve Mesngon said.
The council has yet to discuss a definite date for the hearing.
However, Mesngon said Atalig was able to submit all requirements except the drug test result.
He said Atalig will undergo the test either on Saipan or Guam.
The council has also collected all the comments from the community, which will help determine if there are issues and concerns against the nominee.
Atalig was nominated by Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola on Sept. 1 to replace Justin S. Manglona whose term ended on June 15.
At present, the commission has three members: Laura Maria I. Manglona, chairwoman; Ephrem S. Taimanao, vice chairman; and Abelina T. Mendiola, secretary.
In a previous interview, the mayor said he was not considering nominating a fifth member due to the budget constraint.
Rota Local Law 17-4 appropriated $228,865.17 for the salaries of the commissioners. The executive director receives $60,000 a year.
