Fono overspent budget but decreased spending
of local funds last month

Despite overrunning their budget by $464,000 the Fono decreased its spending of local funds last month compared to the same time last year. The same applies to the Governor's Office, which cut its spending by almost half last month compared to August 2006.

The local Legislature might’ve overspent its budget. And yes they needed $464,000 to cover an overrun which included payments for the two pay periods (plus expense allowances) left in the current fiscal year.

But according to the Treasury’s Financial Overview Report for August 2007 (local funds), the Fono cut its spending by nearly $90,565 compared to the same time last year.

The report, which was submitted by ASG Treasurer Velega Savali to Governor Togiola Tulafono, states that the Fono only spent $458,999 last month, down from the $549,564 they spent in August 2006 and
$552,416 expended in August 2005.

Of the six divisions listed, only the Legislative Finance Office spent more last month than August 2006.

A breakdown of the expenses is as follows:

The majority of the Fono’s overrun came from the expending of funds for unbudgeted projects like repairs to the Samoan Guest Fale, and off island travel.

The same thing applies to the Governor’s Office which got the remaining $114,500 of the $578,500 reprogramming bill shared with the Fono.

According to the same Treasury report, the Governor’s Office cut its spending by almost half, down to
$244,213 last month compared to the $411,374 spent the same time last year.