$130K appropriated to several Rota projects
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has signed a bill appropriating $130,000 from poker license fees to various Rota projects.
House Local Bill 15-13, which became Rota Local Law 15-1, earmarked $21,600 for the dialysis patients subsistence allowance at $300 per month per patient; $40,000 for the operations of the Rota Mayor’s Office; and $10,000 for the operations of the 11th Rota Municipal Council Office.
R.L.L. 15-1 left the appropriation of the remaining $58,400 to the discretion of the Rota mayor. The new local law identified 14 programs for which the mayor could appropriate the amount.
These programs include the Rota liaison/guest house on Saipan; 2006 Rota agricultural fair; 2006 Rota San Isidro Fiesta Fishing Derby; Rota Department of Community and Cultural Affairs for the purchase of sports and office equipment; Veteran’s Association of Rota for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day activities; Rota Little League for expenses during the 2005 Little League District.
Funds may also be appropriated for the Department of Public Safety’s fuel expenses; Close Up Foundation; Flame Tree Festival; Attorney General’s Cup; Luta Man Amko Advisory Council; Junior Statesmen delegation from Rota; Nursing Career Awareness Program; and Nursing Student Assistance.
There are currently 82 licensed poker machines on Rota. A license fee of $10,000 is charged for each machine. Of this amount, $6,000 goes to the general fund while the $4,000 balance goes to the local government.