THE Office of the Governor has reduced by over 50 percent the $16 million proposed budget of Marianas Visitors Authority for fiscal year 2003.
The latest annual appropriation report, which was recently submitted to the Legislature, showed that MVA requested $16.1 million for FY 2003. Most of the fund would be spent for personnel, $2.5 million, and professional services, $10.3 million.
Acting MVA Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente said the cut was inevitable due to lack of projected revenues.
Benavente said the budget reduction, though it involved a significant amount, would not adversely affect the operations of the agency.
“We just need to prioritize. I believe that we can still survive and do our priority programs,” Benavente said.
The administration’s proposed budget for MVA provides $2.2 million for personnel and $4.2 million for professional services.
Professional services refer to the funding used for regular public cleanups, especially on beaches and parks.
“We hire people to put away the trash, do the public cleaning and other beautification activities,” Benavente said.
Under the proposed budget, $356,000 would be used for rentals, $150,000 for total office expense, $117,000 for repairs and others, $109,000 for fuel and supplies, $50,000 for travels and $28,000 for building and furniture improvement.
MVA had originally wanted to allocate $1.4 million for building-related improvements, including $28,000 for computer and equipment, $190,000 for vehicles and public service/administration.
MVA’s budget for the next fiscal year is higher than the current year’s $5.5 million.
The appropriation report included a $70,000 salary for a MVA managing director, which has not been named by the MVA board. Benavente, the current acting MVA chief, receives $50,000 annual pay.
