This year, he said his office received only $45,000, or more than half of what they got in 2004.
In 2008, he said, they received only $50,000.
Tudela said he will ask for an additional $100,000 from the Legislature and will seek the community’s help in raising funds for the float and parade competition prizes.
The Saipan legislative delegation has said that it will withhold any financial assistance unless the mayor’s office can submit to lawmakers a statement of the 2008 Liberation Day expenses.
Tudela said he has already submitted a financial report on the 2007 and 2008 Liberation Day expenses to the Legislature.
There was no report for 2006 because the Liberation Day organizing committee failed to provide the pertinent documents, he said.
For the 2008 Liberation Day, the mayor said the anticipated total expenses amounted to $133,125 but the projected revenue was only $80,900 — a shortfall of $52,225.
The organizing committee expected to collect $38,400 from 32 booths, receive $32,500 from local appropriation as well as $10,000 from tickets sold.
The expenses included $25,600 for the materials of 32 booths; $20,000 for labor payments for the construction; $5,600, security service; $10,000 stage rental; $3,675 rental for seven tents for 35 days; $8,000 for video production; $1,000 for trash collection; $10,500 for the six units of portable toilets used for 35 days; $16,250 for entertainment; $1,500 for souvenir booklets; $6,000 for the miscellaneous cost of the royal court coronation, parade and ball; and $25,000 for the fireworks.
