Legislature lets Mayor’s Council carry over prior-year funds to FY26 amid mayors’ requests

The Committee of the Whole approved an amendment to allow unexpended appropriated funds available to the Mayor’s Council of Guam in prior fiscal years to remain available in fiscal year 2026 instead of lapsing. Senator Tategui proffered the amendment, saying it was intended to let mayors finish pending procurements and hirings and to use balances for one-time purchases such as heavy equipment and new software.

The change will let the Mayor’s Council draw on unspent balances from earlier years to complete projects they already have underway. “They had asked us for 10 million more than what they had received in FY25,” Senator Tategui said, summarizing requests the mayors brought during budget hearings. He described uses the mayors had told lawmakers they needed: a single piece of heavy equipment, software to process residency requests, procurement support and personnel to avoid staffing reductions.

Supporters stressed the mayors’ role providing…