The new funding is more than twice the original amount earmarked for the program when it was created in 2004.
Under Saipan Local Law 16-4, which allocates $4.752 million of revenues generated from poker fees, Shefa will get $3 million and an additional $100,000 for its operations.
Last April, the Office of the Public Auditor reported that Shefa mismanaged public funds through its questionable hiring and improper payments to board members.
SLL 16-4 also appropriates $45,000 for the 2009 Liberation Day Activities; $50,000 for the CNMI Little League; $25,000 for the Fishing Derby; $20,000 for the Agricultural Fair; $15,000 for the Flame Tree Arts Festival; and $75,000 for the Saipan Zoning Board.
Additionally, it mandates a $30,000 funding for the A&E design and construction of the Anthony T. Benavente Baseball Field on Navy Hill; $111,000 for road improvement and paving at the Gloria Drive on Navy Hill; $200,000 for road paving and drainage improvement of Egigi Road, Piligro Lane, Sea Coast Lane, Rota Place and Orhopay Place.
The Capital Hill Children’s Park will get $100,000 so it can be in compliance with the American Disabilities Act.
Precinct 1 will get $200,000 for the Gangoche to Pika Roads paving project.
Precinct 2 will get an equal amount for its road paving and drainage improvement projects.
Dandan Elementary School will get $21,000 for repairs and maintenance of its facilities.
The proposed Northern Marianas Trade Institute will get a seed funding of $100,000 also from S.L.L. 16-4 while the Rota Gaming Commission will get a $450,000 appropriations for its operations.
The commission, however, must reimburse the money to Saipan within one year.
The new local law prohibits reprogramming of any funds appropriated and they “shall not be used for consulting and/or professional services contracts.”
A clause was also inserted allowing the Department of Finance to make the necessary adjustments on the appropriations if the government’s collections do not meet the specified funding in the new local law.
