Tinian commerce office asks legislature to fund rental, communications and fuel to protect tobacco‑program accounts

Susan Perez, resident department head for the Department of Commerce on Tinian, told the Committee on Ways and Means that her office needs the legislature to fund its most essential operating expenses in the general account so tobacco‑settlement funds can be used for an anti‑tobacco training program.

“We currently use my revolving fund account of approximately 9,000 per year to pay utilities,” Perez said. “I would like to request that my office rental, communication, and fuel be funded in my general account in the amount of 24,400 to allow for tobacco settlement funds to use for continued ABDC training program.”

Perez told the committee she has seven funded full‑time employees in fiscal 2025, and that two of those positions are currently paid from tobacco settlement funds. She thanked the governor and OMB for including those two FTEs in the governor’s submission and said shifting operating costs into the general account would secure payroll and free the settlement funds for public‑health programming.

Committee members pressed for details. The committee identified a rental request of $15,600 for office space on Tinian; Perez said that rent has been paid by the mayor’s office under the tobacco settlement fund but the department now wants the rent moved into the department’s general operating line to “secure” the expense and relieve pressure on the revolving account. Perez said her department’s revolving account is funded by licensing fees tied to tobacco, alcohol and other licenses and currently totals about $9,000 a year.

Representative TJ Mangonia and others asked whether central government offices (for example, the Commerce secretary on Saipan) cover training or travel costs; Perez said the central office has included Tinian staff in trainings and covered uniforms and related costs for trainings held in Saipan.

Members also asked about fringe‑benefit variances and whether staff participate in retirement plans. Perez said two employees were enrolled in the 401(k) DC plan and the remainder were on Social Security only.

Perez closed by repeating her request that operating items — rental, communications and fuel — be funded in the Department of Commerce general account so tobacco‑settlement funds can remain dedicated to the anti‑tobacco ABDC program and related training. “Hopefully whatever request that I put in on my testimony will be granted,” she said.

Ending: The committee did not adopt any formal action on the request during the session. Members indicated they would consider the department’s explanation of revolving‑fund pressure and the mayor’s current use of settlement funds when reviewing the overall municipal budget submission.