House and Senate hear latest Arts Fest budget figures
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Preliminary budget for the 10th Pacific Arts Festival now stands at a little over $4 million with a shortfall of $1 million that the organizing committee hopes can be supplemented by additional corporate donations.
Estimated budget figures for the festival were presented yesterday morning to lawmakers during a joint Senate and House hearing for an update on the festival set for July 20-Aug. 2, 2008.
Organizing Committee co-chair Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde told lawmakers that the original budget estimate was $6.1 million and then it was reduced to $5.4 million last month with most of the original budget costs being supplemented by in-kind donations and people volunteering their services.
As of Feb. 6, revenues were at a little over $3 million ($3,004,000) with $2.5 million from ASG; $110,000 in corporate contributions; a $339,000 technical assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Interior; $50,000 in 'other federal grants' and $5,000 in 'foundation grants', according to a copy of the revised budget given to lawmakers.
The revised budget says that expenditures are expected to be a little over $4 million ($4,004,000) leaving a shortfall of $1 million that may be partially supplemented by additional corporate donations, the preliminary budget says.
It also points out that DOI funding covers travel/promotional, printing and advertising and part of personnel costs.
Fagafaga said the most difficult issue faced by the committee is securing money to fund the festival and they are still waiting for contribution responses from both local and off island companies. He said the first major corporate contribution came from the Bank of Hawaii (which was $50,000).
Due to funding constraints, the committee has revised the budget from last month, reducing allocations for several expenses, such as the meals for the participants, which were first estimated at $1.4 million but are now down to $875,000, said Fagafaga.
The original meal estimate under the food voucher program, was $40 a day per participant but it has been revised down to about $25 a day, said Fagafaga.
Because of funding limitations, a handful of lawmakers suggested serving Samoan food - to further reveal our Samoan culture - on certain days of the week and using the food vouchers on other days during the two week festival.
Co-chair Leala Pili said Samoan culture calls for everyone to sit down together for a meal and they plan to do this at least once a week during the festival where all delegates will come together for either breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Fagafaga said the original plan was to serve meals at the accommodation sites but it would cost around $2 million, which was too much and therefore the committee opted for the food voucher program.
Another big expense the committee is looking at now is the bedding, after seeking assistance from the Office of Procurement to contact the U.S. General Services Administration to help secure about 2,000 beds.
However, Fagafaga said the committee has been informed that only 200 beds have been secured for now which means the committee will have to purchase the rest of the beds, with the estimated cost around $500,000.
According to the latest estimates, housing or accommodations, which includes refurbishing, bedding and cleaning is priced out at $750,000; while construction, including stadium, stages and restrooms is set at $800,000.
Some lawmakers suggested having the Department of Public Works carry out construction work and saving the money for other needed expenses. Lawmakers were in agreement that sufficient funding should be available to ensure the festival is a success and the Fono leadership asked the committee to update the Fono on their needs.
However, some lawmakers were disappointed that the festival is only months away and the organizing committee has yet to secure enough funding to cover its budget.
Fagafaga said the committee has submitted grant applications to the proper federal agencies and are awaiting a reply. He said some corporations have also stated their willingness to support the festival but have yet to commit a specific amount of money, which makes it difficult for the committee to plan its expenditures.
Fagafaga reminded lawmakers that the budget figures presented to the Fono are only preliminary estimates and the final budget will be submitted to the festival's executive board in about two-weeks time for approval.
As of Feb. 6, a total of 17 countries, territories and Hawaii have confirmed their participation with a total of 1,321 delegates, according to the organizing committees report given to the Fono. The biggest delegation so far is Papua New Guinea with 196 followed by Guam and Samoa each with 150 delegates.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com
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