Senators made it known to ASG’s top finance officials that any surplus funds remaining at the end of a fiscal year must be reported to the Fono to be appropriated .
This was their response to Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a’s explanation of the funding source for the cement wall to be built around the Territorial Correctional Facility as well as seawalls to protect the coastline from Aua going to the end of the eastern dstrict and also from Aua going west.
According to the Treasurer ASG had a surplus of $786,300 at the end of Fiscal Year 2017 and $3.8 million at the end of FY2018. Included in the FY2018 surplus is the $2.6 million fine for StarKist , of which the Fono approved how it would be used, and the remaining balance from that amount is $1.2 million.
Also proposed to fund the TCF wall and seawall projects is the FY2017 dividend from the American Samoa Hawaii Cable of $550,000.
Tonumaipe’a said they would still need $173,000 to fund both projects; the TCF wall would cost $900,000 and the seawalls would cost $1.1 million.
He said the ASH dividend covered was just for one quarter and they are working with the Attorney general to get payments frOm ASH, to fund the balance.
Both Senators Tuaolo Fruean and Magalei Logovii put to the Treasurer that the budget law requires the administration to report any surplus funds for appropriation by the Fono when the fiscal year closes.
Magalei, a former treasurer wondered why the administration is just now seeking to appropriate these funds.
He said the money should have gone to the General Fund until such time that the Fono appropriates it then it rolls over to the following fiscal year.
The Treasurer responded that he submits the reports to his boss the governor and it’s up to the governor what he wants to do.
He also told Senator Magalei as a former Treasurer he should understand how excess funds are applied on an accrual accounting basis. He said the money is being used on government operations and is now being presented to the Fono for appropriation.
Senator Magalei says he feels for the treasurer having to seek funds for these projects in the case that these are just figures and not actual revenues. He said it was easy for the Senate to pass the bill but he was worried about the stress looking for funds would have on Tonumaipe’a.
Magalei even suggested passing just the funding for the TCF wall and leave the money for seawalls for another time. Tonumaipe’a said this was up to the Senate.
But Senator Tuaolo said sea erosion is damaging the coast line and roads especially in Aua and villages on the east side. He said according to the governor’s plan, the funding will go towards paying contractors to dump rocks to protect the shoreline and roads temporarily,
During the regular senate session the bill was passed in second reading.
