Tinian Public Works urges salary increases, equipment and clarity on revolving funds

Joel Ontellon, the resident department head for the Tinian Department of Public Works, told the House budget committee that his department is short-staffed, struggling to recruit for a key building-inspector post and seeking new equipment and clearer accounting of several revolving funds.

Ontellon said DPW is mandated to maintain paved and unpaved roads, safety signs, guardrails, drainage and building-safety inspections. He said the roads and grounds division currently employs five people — four operator-1s and one operator-3 — and that operator-1 pay is low compared with private-sector rates, contributing to turnover. “The operator ones are making ... I believe these staff should have a salary increase,” Ontellon said.

The department requested one or two building-inspector positions; the materials show funding at $25,000 for the inspector post. Ontellon told the committee the open building-inspector vacancy has been reannounced after receiving no applicants; he said…