Tinian Department of Labor flags communications and utilities as critical needs as mayor currently covers rent

A Department of Labor representative told the Committee on Ways and Means that communications and utilities are critical operating costs and asked the committee to fund those lines in the fiscal 2026 budget submission.

“We are requesting $2,000 for the entire fiscal year to pay for these services,” the resident director said when describing the department’s communications request. He identified utilities as another critical item and requested $4,005 to service three prepaid accounts for the year.

The Labor representative said the department’s office has been located in the same building as the mayor’s office and that rent — $1,000 a month, he said — and utilities were paid this fiscal year by a federal workforce program (WEA/WIA) or by the mayor’s office. The representative warned the committee that the WEA payment will stop on Sept. 30 and said he planned to meet the secretary of labor to determine whether federal funds will again cover the items in the next fiscal year.

Committee members urged the department to leverage federal funds where available and to work with the municipality to avoid duplicative local appropriations. The vice chair pointed out that if federal grants will cover rent or communications, local funds could be reallocated to other operational shortfalls.

The Labor representative listed eight operational line items in the department’s submission, and emphasized communications and utilities as “critical” because loss of phone or Internet service had occurred in the recent past. He told the committee that if the requested $2,000 for communications is not fully used, unused funds would return to government coffers.

Ending: No formal appropriation or vote occurred during this hearing. Committee members requested follow‑up on whether federal funds will cover rent and utilities in FY26 so the legislature can prioritize limited local funds.