Response to Norita’s statement regarding utilities funding

In response to the recent statement made by the Finance secretary regarding Tinian’s financial status and its ability to pay for utility costs, the municipality would like to clarify and address several key points made by the secretary.

It is unfortunate that, instead of finding solutions to address the funding shortfall for utilities for Executive Branch agencies on Tinian, which fall within the purview and the responsibility of the Executive Branch, the secretary of Finance and the administration continues to double down on misinforming the public about this issue and failing to live up to its obligation.

Despite numerous documented communications and having provided the administration with a full accounting and a detailed breakdown of American Rescue Plan Act funds transferred to Tinian by the previous administration, it is apparent at this point that this administration has no interest in either the facts or finding solutions to address an issue which will impact the delivery of critical government services on Tinian.

The funds transferred to the municipality by the former administration were allocated to cover the Tinian Mayors’ Office’s current obligations and encumbrances for the remaining months of fiscal year 2023 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. These funds have been allocated to cover personnel and operations for the Tinian Mayor’s Office. Deviating from the current allocations will jeopardize continued employment of Tinian Mayor’s Office staff. It will also jeopardize critical public programs and services as most of these agencies are underfunded and rely on the Tinian Mayor’s Office to assist with operational costs such as fuel for vehicles, which maintain public facilities and roads at a time when Tinian has not seen its share of Hotel Occupancy Tax funds.

Throughout the budget hearings, I have consistently expressed that these funds were insufficient to cover the cost of utilities for executive branch agencies. This stance was communicated to the governor, the secretary of Finance, and the Office of Management and Budget special assistant at the Governor’s Council Meeting for the fiscal year 2024 budget on April 27, 2023, and to the House and Senate members during the House Ways and Means and the Senate Fiscal Affairs budget hearings, including the conference committee.

It is regrettable that the secretary of Finance continues to reference the $3 million transfer of funds and making statements that do not accurately reflect what has transpired and has been communicated to her, the governor and to the Legislature. But more importantly, it is regrettable that this administration continues to turn its back on the people of Tinian.

The following is a statement issued yesterday by the office of Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor Edwin P. Aldan:

Edwin P. Aldan