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Community & Cultural Affairs seeks staffing, historic‑preservation support and CCDF reimbursement
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Summary
Resident director Frederick Athalik Mungloney Jr. requested continued funding for nine municipal staff, outlined program budgets for sports, historic preservation and nutrition assistance, and raised concerns about delayed central‑office support and a CCDF staffing reimbursement that would enable a small reclassification.
Frederick Athalik Mungloney Jr., resident director of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, told senators on Aug. 22 the department requests continued funding for nine full‑time employees in business unit 1272 and outlined program budgets for sports and recreation, historic preservation and nutrition assistance.
Mungloney provided program breakdowns: a personal budget request of $299,897 under business unit 1272 covering the resident director, administrative officer, assistant and other municipal staff; a sports and recreation operating request of $25,400; and historic‑preservation personnel totaling $85,457 with $10,500 in operations for fuel, communication and maintenance. He said the department administers programs that include the office on aging, nutritious assistance (NAP), childcare development fund (CCDF) activities and youth services.
Senators asked about CCDF and a municipal staff transition. Mungloney and administrative officer Jolita Calvo said a CCDF position had transferred to being fully federally funded, and the municipal share (previously 50%) was awaiting reimbursement from Saipan. The director said the municipality needs about an additional $300–$3,300 (testimony indicated a small shortfall) to align the municipal pay line with the Saipan pay level for an Administrative Specialist I (pay level 7, step 1) and that the department would restructure the FTE once reimbursement is received.
Historic preservation staff described limited central‑office support for field equipment and fuel. Senators urged close coordination with the mayor’s office, the Rota delegation and the Mariana Visitors Authority for shared maintenance and tourism‑related support. Senator Frank Cruz highlighted concerns about artifact protection after social‑media reports of site disturbance; the department said permits for archaeological work are processed by the central office in Saipan and that municipal staff assist on site when notified.
Ending: Senators asked the department to document pending reimbursements, pursue available grants and revolving funds, and include delegation and mayoral support in grant requests; the committee recessed to continue hearings later in the day.
