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Finance outlines OIA 5.7 grant uses including pensions, utilities and IT
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Summary
The secretary of finance told a joint committee how OIA 5.7 grant awards were allocated across agencies: financial system/IT, health, utilities, corrections, government operations and retiree pension support. Members sought timelines for future allocations and spending details.
Finance officials told the joint committee which programs received the current 5.7 Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) grant awards and how the funds would be used.
At the committee’s request, the secretary read itemized allocations for the 5.7 award. “The Department of Finance is awarded for this 5.7 for the use of the financial system and IT infrastructure, 624,900,” the secretary said. Other line items the secretary listed included a health network program ($1.4 million), government utilities ($833,000), Department of Corrections inmate care ($162,600), government operations fuel ($249,900), communications and supplies ($200,000) and a $2,100,000 allotment described as 25% for retirees’ pension benefits.
Nut graf: Committee members wanted to know when the next monthly allocation would arrive and how long the retiree-designated award will extend payroll; the secretary said monthly awards are expected when OIA authorizes them but a federal shutdown could delay disbursement.
Supporting detail: - The secretary told the committee the next monthly award from OIA would be expected once OIA authorizes it, but offered no firm assurance due to a possible shutdown. - Committee members asked how far the $2.1 million for the 25% retiree payment would stretch. The secretary said the $2.1 million would fund about 3.8 pay periods; combined with the $2.7 million appropriated from casino GRT, the awards could cover roughly eight to nine pay periods depending on actual amounts and death benefits. - Members asked which agencies would receive upcoming allocations; the secretary said allocations are earmarked for the uses listed above and that OIA will issue notices for future awards.
Committee requests and follow-up: Representatives asked for written breakdowns of recent OIA awards and a schedule of future allocations. The committee made several formal requests on the record for spending plans and line-item distributions to be provided to the joint committee for review.
Ending: Finance officials emphasized that timing depends on OIA’s authorization and that federal developments could change the schedule.
