THIRTEEN years ago, the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council passed Ordinance 10-02-2010 to establish the Saipan Municipal Charter Commission. It was authored by then-Council Chairman Ramon B. Camacho and approved by then-Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, on Jan. 8, 2010.
The municipal ordinance, according to current Council Chairwoman Marian DLG Tudela, will comply with and implement applicable provisions in the Constitution.
Chairwoman Tudela and Mayor Camacho believe that the ordinance will provide the people of Saipan and the Northern Islands the opportunity to direct the course of local governance which fully complies and comports with the intent of the Constitution.
This includes delineating the responsibilities, duties and functions of municipal agencies, including the powers of elected municipal officials and the financing of the municipal government.
According to the ordinance, a municipal charter will be presented to the electorate in the next general election or in a special election.
The ordinance relates exclusively to local matters in the Third Senatorial District affecting local government operations, programs, revenue generation, appropriation and expenditure of funds, including the delivery of efficient, effective and responsive public services.
The primary task of the commission is to undertake the necessary assessment and/or conduct studies and review the administration, management and operations of the agencies of the municipal government.
Tudela said the commission will have 18 members — nine will be appointed by Mayor Camacho and confirmed by the municipal council, while the remaining nine members will be appointed by the presiding officer of the council.
The operational funding for the activities of the commission may be incorporated in the mayor’s annual budget or supplemental appropriation.
The commission is also authorized to apply for federal assistance in undertaking its tasks as approved by the mayor of Saipan.
The Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council members turn over traffic cones to Saipan Mayor Ramon B. Camacho on Feb. 10, 2023.
