THE administration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has turned its back on the people of Tinian, Mayor Edwin P. Aldan said.
On Thursday, he issued a statement in response to Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita, who has said that Tinian’s municipal government has enough funding for utilities.
Norita cited Tinian’s expenditure report on June 27, 2023, indicating available funds amounting to about $2.9 million, and $400,000 reserved for operations until Sept. 30, 2023. She said Tinian also reported that $800,000 was reserved for the Tinian Mayor’s Office and department operations, which included utilities for FY 2024.
In addition, Finance said the Tinian Mayor’s Office had projected a remaining balance of $847,000, which would be spent on projects, events, services and payroll.
But according to the Tinian mayor, “It is unfortunate that instead of finding solutions to address the funding shortfall for utilities for executive branch agencies on Tinian, which fall within the purview and the responsibility of the executive branch, the Secretary of Finance and the administration continue to double down on misinforming the public about this issue and failing to live up to its obligation.”
The mayor has reached out to the governor and asked for financial assistance to pay the utility bills of the resident departments on Tinian. He has also explained to the House Ways and Means Committee the financial position of Tinian, as well as the status of the American Rescue Plan Act funds that the administration of former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres provided Tinian.
The mayor said his requests “have gone unanswered.”
“Despite numerous documented communications and having provided the administration with a full accounting and a detailed breakdown of ARPA funds transferred to Tinian by the previous administration, it is apparent at this point that this administration has no interest in either the facts or finding solutions to address an issue, which will impact the delivery of critical government services on Tinian,” Aldan said.
He said the funds transferred to the municipality by the former administration were allocated to cover his office’s current obligations and encumbrances for the remaining months of fiscal year 2023 and the first quarter of FY 2024. These funds, “have been allocated to cover personnel and operations for the Tinian Mayor’s Office. Deviating from the current allocations will jeopardize continued employment of the Tinian Mayor’s Office staff,” he added.
“It will also jeopardize critical public programs and services as most of these agencies are underfunded and rely on the Tinian Mayor’s Office to assist with operational costs such as fuel for vehicles which maintain public facilities and roads at a time when Tinian has not seen its share of HOT [hotel occupancy tax] funds,” Aldan said.
He reiterated that the municipality does not have enough funds to cover the cost of utilities for the executive branch agencies on Tinian.
He said this was also communicated to the governor, the secretary of Finance and Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Villagomez during a governor’s council meeting regarding the FY 2024 budget on April 27, 2023, and to the House and Senate members during the House Ways and Means and the Senate Fiscal Affairs budget hearings.
“It is regrettable that the Secretary of Finance continues to reference the $3 million transfer of funds and making statements that do not accurately reflect what has transpired and has been communicated to her, the Governor and to the Legislature. But more importantly, it is regrettable that this administration continues to turn its back on the people of Tinian,” the mayor said.
Variety was unable to get a comment from the governor’s office.
