TINIAN Mayor Edwin P. Aldan on Monday asked the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee to fund 31 job positions at his office.
In his testimony during a budget hearing on Tinian, Aldan said he fully understands the CNMI’s financial condition. But, he said, 31 government employees on Tinian will lose their jobs on Oct. 1, 2024, if the Legislature will not reinstate the funding for their positions.
The committee chair, Senate Vice President Donald Manglona, noted that Tinian requested a total of $12 million for fiscal year 2025. Of this amount, $2.2 million will be for operations, and the rest will be for 288 employees.
In his revised FY 2025 budget submission, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios proposed $6.7 million for Tinian. Of this amount, $6.4 million will be for the salaries of 281 employees.
For the mayor’s office alone, Tinian is requesting $3.3 million, but the governor allocated $2.2 million only.
The spreadsheet of the governor’s revised budget submission indicates 135 full-time employees or FTEs for Tinian. However, according to the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee chairman, 34 of these FTEs are unfunded.
Aldan asked the committee, “How is it fair that of all the municipalities in the CNMI, Tinian is the only municipality that will have to terminate 31 existing employees?” In fact, he said, the governor’s FY 2025 budget submission reinstates 60 FTEs for the Saipan Mayor’s Office, which will be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
“Why is Tinian not provided with the same consideration?” he asked.
“Many of you are probably wondering where we stand regarding the balance of Tinian’s ARPA funds. As of today, we have a balance of $525,440,” he told the senators.
However, Alda said, the remaining balance has been allocated to cover the FY 2024 fourth-quarter expenses for payroll, office rentals, utilities, professional services and operating expenses. Any remaining funds, he said, will be used for payroll for the mayor’s office staff until the fund is depleted.
“I must impress upon this committee that no ARPA or local funds will be available for FY 2025 to fund 31 FTEs,” the mayor said.
