Lucia Borja, representing the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs on behalf of Director Bonnie Borja, told the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee that DCCA’s programs are strained by funding shortfalls for vehicle maintenance, utilities, office supplies, and communications.

Borja listed programs DCCA administers on Tinian — Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), Division of Youth Services (DYS), Historic Preservation Office, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, nutrition assistance, and the Aging Center. She said vehicle engine servicing and communications are immediate priorities. “If our communication lines are disconnected, there will be no Internet service and at the very least, our connectivity to Munis will be disrupted,” Borja said.

Borja also described personnel pay‑increase disparities tied to funding source. She told senators federally funded employees have received multiple withing‑grade increases (WGIs) in recent years while many locally funded civil‑service employees have not, noting WGIs were suspended for 15 years and then resumed unevenly. “I personally find it demoralizing and unfair,” Borja said, adding that restoring consistent WGI treatment depends on directives and availability of general‑fund lapses.

Committee members asked how many DCCA positions are federally funded; Borja said only a few — one in CCDF, one at DYS, Title V and one at Historic Preservation — and that most locally funded employees lack the same flexibility. Senators and OMB staff discussed directive 25‑01 and 23‑02 — temporary governor directives limiting general‑fund salary adjustments — and said exemptions require gubernatorial sign‑off. OMB staff confirmed departments can submit WGI requests but the governor decides on exemptions.

Members pressed about NAP staffing; Borja said Saipan funds the recent NAP hire and that office space remains constrained on Tinian. She also asked the committee to reinstate an omitted FTE for the Historic Preservation Office after an oversight during budget compilation; committee staff agreed to correct the submission if documentation supports it.

Borja closed by asking the committee to consider DCCA’s vehicle, communications and operating needs as the Legislature finalizes FY26 appropriations.