Saipan Local 17-9, which appropriates $3,454,000 of poker revenues collected for fiscal year 2011, prohibits SHEFA from hiring consultants or other professional services.
But Hofschneider said the $100,000 appropriation for SHEFA’s operation and personnel will lapse at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
He said Saipan Local Law 13-21 provides for a continuing appropriation for SHEFA in the amount of $3 million for its financial assistance program and $100,000 for its operation and personnel needs.
By October, he said they can utilize portion of the allocation for its operation and personnel to hire a computer programmer who can help set up a system and sort out the voluminous data and files at the SHEFA office.
SHEFA is already acquiring two personal computer units to upgrade its computer system, he added.
At present, Hofschneider said it is difficult to “trace” SHEFA recipients who have graduated but failed to return to the CNMI to work here as required by the scholarship program.
He said SHEFA has only one worker who is under the Workforce Investment Agency training program.
Hofschneider said they will hire two full-time employees.
He will also request the Saipan mayor’s office to assign one of its staff members to the SHEFA office.
