Fiscal Year 2019 revenues from the Customs Division of Treasury reached $35.9 million, the highest amount in the seven years of the Lolo Lemanu Administration.
In their first year in office, FY2013, customs revenues totaled $23.6 million, the following year it reached $26. 4 million.
There was a drop in FY2015 to $25.3 million, then in FY2016 it jumped to $28.4 million. In FY2017 customs revenues increased to $29.3 million, and the following year, it reached $33.4 million.
The governor’s Comprehensive State of the Territory Report says the positive growth in 5 out of 6 executive years of the Lolo Lemanu Administration is a direct result of improved operations efficiencies, investment in new equipment and training for personnel, in significant improvement in enforcement of existing customs statutes and improved accountability and performance by Customs officers and agents.
In the past three years, the Customs Division has seen over 30% turnover in personnel due to attrition. Retirement. Termination and incarceration. He large turnover created an opportunity for agents and officers to demonstrate their individual proficiencies and job skills.
As a result the Customs Division has experienced notable operational changes, emphasizing performance and merit based assessment for promotions and advancement.
According to the report, the steady revenue collection results supported efforts to make additional and long overdue changes for personnel.
In October 2019, the administration approved for the first time ever an official Customs Davison Compensation Policy.
The policy increases every position level base salary and includes a mechanism, to account for years of service to ensure pay was commensurate with years of service and position description.
The policy emphasized merit based and performance when evaluating promotion opportunities.
The new compensation policy was widely well received by career officers and agents, said the report.
