Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The budget for the Public Defender’s office proposed for the new fiscal year amounts to $453,000, barely an increase from $440,000, especially when compared to the proposed budget for the Department of Parks and Recreation, which amounts to $1.02 million — whereas last year it was $1 million and the year before that $707,668.

This is despite the previous head PD, Michael White abruptly resigning due to what he said was mental and physical strain from the “overload” of cases due to an extremely understaffed and under-funded office.

PUBLIC DEFENDER’S BUDGET

The new fiscal year kicks in on October 01, 2022 running through September 30, 2023. The salaries proposed for the PD’s office amount to $357,888 from the $453,000 proposed budget, leaving a little more than $90,000 for its office operations.

There is also an allocation of $500 for psych evaluation for defendants; $500 for consultant to translate for clients that do not speak English, or Samoan and $3,000 for off-island training and seminar fees.

A total of $4,500 is allocated for supplies including office, janitorial and text books.

For contract employees plus dependents, new hires and training and for travel for case investigations and witness interviews, $17,000 is allocated.

The proposed budget outlines that $42,500 is allocated to pay for housing for the Public Defender, Assistant PD’s and utilities.

According to the budget it outlines four positions for lawyers including the Public Defender whose salary is $75,000 and four staff members.

To date the Office of the Public Defender has one lawyer contracted as Acting PD — Senior lawyer David Vargas after resignation of former PD, Michael White, after working there for 11 years and four of these years as a Public Defender.

In March of this year, Ryan Anderson, the assistant public defender had left the office and according to White, he took over the office by himself where he handled over 850 cases, most of these cases being criminal cases.

White explained that on June 30, he submitted his resignation letter to the Governor’s office while the Governor was off-island at the time and he was informed by staff members that his resignation letter would be handed over to the Governor once he arrived back on island.

When asked why he resigned from his post, White explained that with the number of cases he had to handle, he believed that he was not able to provide the appropriate defense for all.

PARKS AND REC BUDGET

Department of Parks and Recreation oversees the local parks, including the Veterans Stadium and the golf course.

A total of $429,500 has been allocated to the Director’s office; $297,500 for the Parks Division and $178,00 for the Recreation Division. Of its $1.02 million budget, $429,500 is allocated for salaries.

According to the budget a total of $52,000 is allocated for utilities, whereas $49,500 will go to electricity; $500 for print; $3,000 for telephone and communication. In the previous financial year $137,000 for these services and $151,174 for financial year 2021.

The budget says that on a weekly basis they maintain 10 parks by mowing grass, landscaping, trimming trees and remove trash. The Department has seven vehicles and $10,000 has been allocated for their repair and services “to makes sure the safety of employees is secure when conducting recreational activities.”