[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6526215,"mediaKeyId","3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19","parentId",3802791,"title","Rota public works seeks equipment, fuel and landfill upgrades; landfill permitting gaps flagged","audioSeconds",605,"startMs",13495000,"endMs",14100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19&start=13495&end=14100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19/thumbnail_13495000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6526215/Rota-public-works-seeks-equipment-fuel-and-landfill-upgrades-landfill-permitting-gaps-flagged","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526215-1a2e76ce0538cbdbd9eee7727d84b277/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176251&Signature=kAEb6TRZ0BA~zqdOc-0EkHSPFFCZrbltA1IXTs0IFsYHmJXQMjboOFXl7Cf~iR95vdaPWIAr20wNx7yCW38X6zi7gdbsnUduxoibyXXTtDfzSski7MwAtieY6yy9Z8C7CS9Vk1PQrQPKGdYu1VAf8QkU9RGqejiKCnNX~unKxoz-wmzkdP9Z2qwuetAkIdBQ1w6N622MoPa51XULVGr0sW8bWFJI3c9aNR7PPvrE4qPmngjVPq3hrAx0WguQ08vMgIJ-2qVHSqByXs8-b~MqlKG6Wl8zcA4GEZXEf8eVqJwq-6ykrm0ln184wMKsB9j3crmWGyT5p7ml4EqPcwKz5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-06-11T03:07:40Z","article","George A. Antolic, resident director of Public Works for Rota, told lawmakers June 5 that the department holds several capital assets but still needs additional heavy‑equipment repair funding, contingency rental authority for peak events and support to bring landfill operations into compliance.

Antolic said DPW maintains roads and grounds with a limited equipment fleet supplemented by CIP purchases. He requested repair and maintenance funding for heavy equipment, and said the department occasionally must rent equipment after storms. On solid waste, branch manager Albert Tovis told the committee the landfill lacks proper heavy spreader/grader assets and that the site is not permitted; water testing and permitting efforts are under way but the dumping site requires major cleanup and investment.

Why it matters: Proper equipment and a permitted landfill are foundational to public health, solid‑waste management and road access. Antolic warned that without working dozers and graders the municipality cannot effectively respond to storms or maintain right‑of‑way access.

Key details:
- Staffing and equipment: DPW reported 28 total personnel across functions; roads and grounds and solid waste divisions are operating with limited equipment. DPW said it has some machinery funded by CIP but not all items are functioning.
- Landfill: Antolic described the Rota disposal site as operating without full permitting and said EPA/technical sampling and permitting steps are in progress; the site needs certified heavy equipment to meet operations standards.
- Revenue and revolving funds: Equipment rental fees and some building‑inspection fees are collected locally but historically routed to the general fund; the department asked committee members to consider pilot language allowing municipalities to retain equipment‑rental and auction proceeds locally and to use them for DPW operations.

Committee response: Members urged DPW to pursue grant options for large equipment purchases and to work with the municipality and central DPW to repair or replace a disabled D6 grader reportedly discussed with Saipan’s central office. Lawmakers signaled support for pilot language to localize proceeds from equipment rentals and auctions so DPW can fund maintenance and tipping‑fee modernization locally.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250605 24th NMCL W&M ROTA","oneSentenceSummary","Rota Department of Public Works asked the House committee for funds to repair heavy equipment, to pay for rental back‑up during disasters and to address landfill permitting and operations; committee members urged grants and interagency coordination to secure bulldozers and facility upgrades.","taxTitle","House, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands","taxId",20281,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6526220,"Rota commerce director asks for four FTEs, weights‑and‑measures vehicle and supplies",1671,5357000,7028000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19&start=5357&end=7028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19/thumbnail_5357000.jpg","/articles/6526220/Rota-commerce-director-asks-for-four-FTEs-weightsandmeasures-vehicle-and-supplies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526220-0d0cd3f3593ea3628af1ef82c890f4b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176251&Signature=ZEOXy~2M3R~a6Bsv5apgFcwQ0x3opRyXN2NCdrY8V7ZqHeFRk2zgtXK6NgdVPUT51ln60A9EecqoDMFaU-fAbjF1nbgqEzSe3iBCGFks9eglk~bpouIHcl4TyuWKkmZvHDUAklz00r1LYGt6ceGDLPWXTE99Oz0yVkmmgsHvQ9q-~nEwd4SOsvtrktz8bJYDZV48KogGV0ySH6X2~hw18eSrTXMDqhmt-CXsBUNOcwa22y8YkXTvO~47xxWp~R7dLHHclqWckK4rjvRWwocWS-dMsajGgCJCf0akKzxuz~QPACOptzkmmJV-AfdVFONi-kKvR2dyJMun3mchyV~a2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rodney James (resident director for the Department of Commerce on Rota) asked the House committee for four FTEs — an ABTC officer aide, an admin post, a statistics post and a weights‑and‑measures position — and a pickup vehicle configured to carry field equipment used for weights‑and‑measures and fuel testing.

James said two experienced employees are near retirement and that the department lacks safe vehicle support for flammable testing materials. He requested overtime funds for ABTC and an operational supplies budget for testing and field services. He also described limits in local revenue collection: several licensing and fee flows are collected or managed in Saipan and do not currently remain in Rota. OMB later confirmed a commerce filing‑fee special account for the First Senatorial District with a balance of about $100,953.88, and staff told the RD how to access the project on Munis (project 1959BB). James and committee members discussed the possibility of a municipal pilot to retain auction and equipment‑rental proceeds locally for operations.

Why it matters: Commerce functions (business licensing, weights and measures, agricultural exports) underpin trade, consumer protection and local economic development. Local authority to retain modest fees can fund essential operating needs.

Key details:
- Personnel: James requested four FTEs to replace retiring staff and to add capacity (ABTC aide, admin, statistics, weights & measures).
- Vehicle/equipment: A pickup with secure storage for test instruments was requested (quoted in testimony at about $60,000 for a vehicle package); overtime was budgeted for field inspections.
- Revolving funds: OMB reported a commerce special fund balance for the First Senatorial District of $100,953.88 (Munis project 1959BBASINBRAVO), and the mayor was advised the mayor's concurrence may be needed for expenditures depending on the statute.

Next steps: The director was told to coordinate with the mayor's office to access the special account and to work with OMB on any statute‑required concurrence. Committee members suggested pilot language in the budget permitting municipalities to retain proceeds from local auctions and equipment rentals on a trial basis.","Rota's Department of Commerce resident director requested four staff positions to replace upcoming retirees, a pickup truck to carry testing instruments, overtime funding and operational supplies; director said many local fees still route to Saipan and asked to keep some proceeds locally.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6526224,"Rota mayor seeks restored FTEs, stable local revenue and CBP fixes to expand weekend flights",0,20620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19&start=20620&end=20620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19/thumbnail_20620000.jpg","/articles/6526224/Rota-mayor-seeks-restored-FTEs-stable-local-revenue-and-CBP-fixes-to-expand-weekend-flights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526224-9a8e20a875b43b2bf9c5d7b68b33f21c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176251&Signature=mFEJLZOstWZWxDvu~YOewBj3qR61GCHkfEoDHiyfjX83QVWh1aohxny9oX2qOJZOe3Q-zQJ9PxuizATt-qGB7K1KkpjMfalxOpsi2pJrDk5a6RCF02WclGUm4OmKqE8oJS7PeSX-iNDzH2Ptd8T8IwMVxXYMkX~eyf4TA8c7gZ2N8tq09OkWV5fofTn97LQWAwe5qbqYT0M7q7w6vzECjy7jQj-PeK2IrxvOTc7B8EIBDBCxz457kR87JkfVVllnOUOLXmJKXXa1Zv3KKc56vEPZocyb9BCmQBbdPuVITvOJBsBBILY4OOT1R-7iM~po127jBU6iLDXbZ8afx-ufJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Aubrey Holcook told the House Ways and Means committee June 5 that maintaining municipal FTEs, resolving utility arrears and expanding local revenue authority are central to Rota's economic and service recovery.

\"It is the mission of the municipality to maximize opportunities for social and economic development while retaining an attractive, sustainable, and safe environment for my people and our visitors,\" Holcook said, recapping the municipality's recent project work and federal grant activity that has funded public‑works, housing and other upgrades.

Holcook asked lawmakers to preserve the municipality's FTE baseline (he noted 110 filled FTEs and the municipality's intent to hold 118 FTEs) and to consider local revenue tools that could be insulated from general‑fund emergency taps. The mayor also urged legislative and executive support for changing how Hotel Occupancy Tax and other tourism‑related proceeds are treated — so the municipality can use funds for marketing and to support tourism services that in turn drive local economic activity.

Holcook and committee members discussed operational impediments to better air links with Guam. The municipality and delegation have been paying to fly a CBP officer to Rota for passenger processing; Holcook supported a permanent solution that would let Rota customs do CBP clearance under an MOU and thus support more weekend flights.

Why it matters: Restoring municipal personnel, securing predictable local revenue, and enabling regular commercial links to Guam are core elements in the mayor's plan to restore visitor flows and increase local incomes. Small, regular tourism flows (weekend visitors) are a central economic goal for Rota's recovery.

Key details:
- FTEs: Holcook asked the committee to support retention of municipal FTEs and to consider designating funds or mechanisms that protect municipal revenue from emergency reallocation.
- Utilities and arrears: The mayor said many municipal accounts have been converted to Nighthawk meters and that the administration is negotiating with Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and the governor's office to address outstanding liabilities.
- CBP clearance and flights: Holcook said the delegation has been subsidizing daily CBP officer travel to Rota to clear arriving passengers; he and delegation members said an MOU or CBP accommodation that empowers Rota customs to clear flights would reduce those costs and enable weekend service.

Next steps: Holcook asked the legislature to consider statutory and budget language that would allow municipalities to pilot revolving accounts and earmark local proceeds for municipal use; the mayor said he would continue to work with OMB, the governor's office and the Rota legislative delegation to implement these ideas.","Mayor Aubrey Holcook asked the House Ways and Means committee to preserve municipal personnel, help resolve utility liabilities, protect municipal revenue streams and to support changes that would let Rota customs clear passengers so weekend flights from Guam become viable.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6526229,"Rota police report vacancies, aging vehicles and communication gaps to House committee",1252,14528000,15780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19&start=14528&end=15780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19/thumbnail_14528000.jpg","/articles/6526229/Rota-police-report-vacancies-aging-vehicles-and-communication-gaps-to-House-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526229-10d71c74427031779181bcafcf96859c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176251&Signature=U-GupG0rz1SpRDw~O23py1ouhPJSaFezfkkFwDiirfl~bp9SIKXmj91tcr-7cISeDc4fkrV2bS68AGnp49i2mYWOq8bY8xBLPRzi59qTmJ~CyX13-k8RB9ukjhY3amxegFYlOeb~~tqqpOk0l5rne8CdnBLpk1KxSVOvQLpVU0EnhE16gXlOrClq4Tw~lMulDAhlnrujXZkxqhWRc8qTwfdv4fYsIJDr3s9CfabwD~J-hasqqYkDVk3JCr2A1K6tzfLnh52CeGn52q6dmNhIFmzI9xe8p-zrBdIUkJII9xnk2ANRYkXqCk7XKc8w~OJvzC1mGE~PM6SuU-kHSjU4Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christine Cabrera, resident department head for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in Rota, and Capt. Noel Cabo testified June 5 about persistent vacancies, broken patrol vehicles and limited communications equipment that constrain policing and emergency response.

Cabrera said DPS had multiple vacancies and that OMB had recently lifted a hiring blackout that had delayed filling funded positions. OMB later confirmed 10 vacancies for the department, seven of which are funded and three unfunded. Cabrera said the department is seeking reclassification and promotion opportunities to create supervisory PO‑3 posts to help career progression and retention.

\"We do not have any working radios,\" Capt. Cabo told lawmakers, describing reliance on personal cell phones for official communications and the safety risks when responding to armed or remote‑area calls. Committee members and OMB staff discussed options including upgrading communications, using grant funds and repurposing federal award money recently announced for law enforcement operations. The committee noted a $3 million award from the Office of Insular Affairs intended for law‑enforcement needs; OMB said the award has not been formally received and that allocations are currently tied to Saipan but could be repurposed to support Rota and Tinian with executive approval.

Why it matters: Staffing, reliable vehicles and radio communications are core elements of public safety. Witnesses warned that broken vehicles, limited coverage and training shortfalls reduce the department's ability to respond to emergencies, enforce law in rural areas and protect officers.

Key details:
- Vacancies and hiring: OMB reported 10 total vacancies for Rota DPS (7 funded, 3 unfunded). The mayor's office and DPS said they plan to reclassify some positions to create higher grades and supervisory posts to improve promotion pathways.
- Vehicles: DPS has six GMC Terrain patrol vehicles; only two are fully operable and several require work beyond local shops' capacity. Capt. Cabo and the RD requested trucks better suited to island terrain or funding to replace or repair vehicles off‑island.
- Communications and equipment: DPS uses personal phones for many field communications; the department requested radios, in‑vehicle communications and other protective equipment. Capt. Cabo emphasized that officers are performing dangerous work and need reliable equipment.
- Grant opportunity: Committee members noted the announced $3 million federal allocation for law enforcement operations; OMB said the award paperwork was not yet final and that the governor's office could repurpose portions to Rota and Tinian.

Committee response: Members pressed DPS to move quickly to fill funded positions and to work with OPM and OMB on reclassification so vacancies are not lost in future budget cycles. Lawmakers encouraged DPS, the mayor and OMB to prioritize communications upgrades and to seek grant or central funding to avoid relying on local revolving accounts.","Rota's resident head of Public Safety described multiple vacancies, dated patrol vehicles and lack of radios as operational risks; lawmakers and OMB signaled they can proceed with hiring funded positions and urged rapid action to avoid losing budget authority.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6526234,"Rota finance director warns staff burnout, seeks more positions and operating funds",880,1310000,2190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19&start=1310&end=2190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802791-bf5e4e2604c7c5a774977de63ca2cb19/thumbnail_1310000.jpg","/articles/6526234/Rota-finance-director-warns-staff-burnout-seeks-more-positions-and-operating-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526234-6cc45db0989aedfbb3d3f0307564eb51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176251&Signature=Mtx6mGZJk53vORMnq1pEP6eZH671rKyEyvLYWR3gQK7nlxXJBpFzSJcKDiTaoZ~xWzQB2ANBtvxNcc-8mnkog~s4ziG3VkXocEx74SxgRYQHAIAJ7t-oi94uRF023EUiZCqLVdlQJTpmhiW6BAfTJ9KNFBg5d1BsquksB3MV4es~41zE6MWocnCGExo318fsBANrZpVDC0Dg7xQnBxX1BGKFe~tbyQjOZztTrVOR1b0bAnUT6cr7kvMJllo7j1xl2qMI03NLKsmWXD-753TXrLuWAIlwAj8dvOzoJ4DE7si0pc6YadZbDRz0d0W21o6NQ~dIWHuY0t1c5q0pE9kJ4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Avery Hoco Calvo, resident director of the Department of Finance for Rota, told the House Ways and Means committee on June 5 that her office is understaffed, underfunded and losing trained inspectors because salaries and operating support have not kept pace with workload.

\"I am going to run my staff into the ground. They are nearing burnout,\" Calvo said, describing long-running gaps in within-grade increases and an operating budget that until recently had been zero. She said Treasury, revenue and customs officers are doing work beyond their job classifications and that promotion and pay paperwork has been delayed for years.

Calvo outlined a personnel-heavy budget request that seeks promotionary adjustments, new full-time equivalents for revenue enforcement and inspection, and money for vehicle repairs or replacements. She said customs and biosecurity units are operating with too few vehicles — \"the customs biosecurity has 2 working vehicles\" — and that shared transportation is creating safety and service problems. She also asked the committee for funds to cover training and equipment so staff can use the new revenue system correctly instead of relying on cellphone-based training.

Why it matters: Finance staff manage tax and fee collection that fund municipal services. Calvo argued that without competitive wages and operating funds — including vehicle maintenance, training and a secure office — the island risks losing revenue and the institutional knowledge needed to regulate and collect revenues properly.

Key details:
- Personnel and morale: Calvo said many staff remain at 2020–2021 pay levels and that within-grade increases (WGIs) have not been consistently implemented for customs and biosecurity. She described a backlog of merit promotions and WGI paperwork including outstanding merit awards dating to 2021.
- Vehicles and facilities: Calvo asked for money to repair or replace patrol and enforcement vehicles and to secure a proper office for finance and treasury work; she said moving the department back into leased space in the past cost the municipality far more than a smaller rental would have.
- Training and systems: The department is managing a new revenue system and Calvo said staff need in-person training and professional development money; she criticized the prevailing reliance on virtual or phone-based training.
- Revolving accounts: Calvo told the committee that Rota has tried to establish local revolving accounts (for auctions, customs collections, etc.), but low local incomes and statutory rules have complicated efforts to retain proceeds locally. OMB later confirmed a special commerce filing-fee balance of roughly $100,953 for the First Senatorial District.

Reaction and follow-up: Committee members pressed OMB and the Department of Finance to clarify which WGI years were outstanding and asked the director to work with central OMB and OPM to move personnel actions before year-end. Calvo said she had asked Saipan offices for technical support and that the regional director of biosecurity has been helpful but cannot substitute for locally funded positions.

What comes next: Lawmakers told Calvo they will continue conversations with the governor's office and OMB about converting and protecting any local revolving-account balances and about prioritizing personnel and training requests in the final budget.","Rota Department of Finance director told the House Ways and Means delegation at a budget hearing that personnel are underpaid, understaffed and lack operating funds and vehicles, urging approval of additional FTEs, training and repairs to maintain revenue enforcement and customs functions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rota public works seeks equipment, fuel and landfill upgrades; landfill permitting gaps flagged

Rota commerce director asks for four FTEs, weights‑and‑measures vehicle and supplies

Rota mayor seeks restored FTEs, stable local revenue and CBP fixes to expand weekend flights

Rota police report vacancies, aging vehicles and communication gaps to House committee

Rota finance director warns staff burnout, seeks more positions and operating funds