FY 2001 budget for Saipan Mayor’s office inadequate

The Saipan Mayor’s Office has been allotted $2.90 million for Fiscal Year 2001, enough to provide a six months service to the community, according to Chief Budget Office Ray Diaz.
However, the Mayor’s Office yesterday assured the public that it will try its best to deliver essential services to the island despite the reduction in the original budget request of $3.5 million.
“We will find a way to help various government agencies that will request assistance in the delivery of basic services,” Mr. Diaz said.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has assured the local officials during a meeting that they will be given additional funds if there is an increase in revenue. In fact, the Saipan Delegation bailed out the Mayor’s Office last year when it gave an additional $280,000 in July 1999 from the batu and bingo revenue.
Due to budgetary constraints, the Mayor’s Office has implemented a freeze in hiring with the exception of positions in essential services, such as the recent appointment of a mechanic and a helper mechanic.
Some 65 percent of secondary road in Saipan remains unpaved due to shrinking budget, Mr. Diaz said.
Aside from carrying out repair of secondary road in Saipan, the Mayor’s Office has been providing water delivery service with the biggest request coming from the northern and eastern part of the island.
There has been an increase in road repairs and maintenance in 1999 compared to 1998 with the biggest work load performed in Precint 3 and 1 namely the areas of Capitol Hill, San Vicente, Fina Sisu and Chalan Kiya. Some 5,278 truckloads of rocks were hauled from its quarry in Kagman which was used for the road repair on the island.
As a result of the expansion of homestead projects in Kagman and Koblerville, the Mayor’s Office is faced with the huge problem of making the necessary secondary roads in these areas. The office is also mandated to open secondary roads to tourist and farm areas but so far this has taken the back seat . Although a building for the Stray Animal Office in Kagman has been built, the lack of funds has also derailed the implementation of the stray animal project.
Amid limited funds, Mr. Sablan said his office has carried out different beautification programs although he could have done more if the budget for his office would be increased.