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Northern Islands mayor asks for $371K budget
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Posted on Mar 07 2012
The budget request submission of the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office for fiscal year 2013 includes salaries and benefits for 13 employees, including Mayor Tobias Aldan.
The document, a copy of which was obtained by Saipan Tribune, shows that the total budget request is $371,334. Of this amount, $277,534 or about 75 percent will cover salaries and benefits.
Aldan explained in his Feb. 29 submission that the 13 employees are needed to carry out the mayor’s duties and related mandates.
“The Northern Islands Municipality is faced with a very unique challenge in the delivery of public services in that it covers five islands under its jurisdiction, three of which are targeted for full resettlement,” he added.
Aldan also requested for $50,000 to cover transportation costs for an ocean vessel charter at a minimum of two trips per quarter, and for a helicopter or airplane “for those unforeseen critical times and emergencies.”
According to Aldan, the 2013 budget request will allow them to lay out the foundation for their resettlement plans as well as other vital projects to sustain such plans.
“The resettlement plan focuses on the three islands mentioned above with future plans for economic development programs and activities on the respective islands to ensure that the settlements are safe and sustainable,” he said.
Aldan said NIMO has returned some of the residents of Pagan and Alamagan and is working on rebuilding their communities.
While public funds are limited, Aldan noted that the Northern Islands are very remote that delivery of public services “may not be possible without at least quarterly transportation services from the government.”
“Our government must exercise more fairness, compassion, and sensitivity in the delivery of public services and in the allocation and distribution of the limited funds and other public resources,” added Aldan.
