A cut in police hours, fire station closures, reduced election services and the removal of a restroom maintenance contract are just some of the Guam government's plans to cope with the recent repeal of a two percent sales tax.
The Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation Income Tax Processing Branch counter. Photo: The Guam Daily Post
The Pacific Daily News reports the tax was expected to bring in about $US120 million in revenue to help address a projected budget shortfall of up to $160 million for the fiscal year 2019.
The Department of Corrections acting Director Kate Baltazar said the government might as well close her department and ask the courts to release detainees until their cases could be heard.
Dozens of other agencies have sent nearly 100 pages of plans to the government on how to deal with a revised cut in revenue as a result of the tax repeal.
The Department of Education faces the largest budget cut of $US65 million under revised projections while Guam's Deputy Fire Chief said at least 45 newly hired recruits and 27 other personnel would have to be laid off to cope with a proposed $US9.2 million cut.
Two fire stations, one rescue unit and one advance life support unit would have to shut down as well, he said.
A 32-hour workweek for 279 sworn officers and 30 civilians at the Guam Police Department also plans to be implemented.
