Mayors seek data on distribution of municipal ‘rescue’ funds

Mayors Association President Jorge González Otero

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico Mayors Association President Jorge “Georgie” González Otero has requested detailed information from Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Executive Director Orlando Rivera Berríos and Financial Oversight and Management Board Executive Director Robert Mujica regarding the distribution of funds from the recently announced “municipal financial rescue” program.

The allocations were made prior to the end of the fiscal year, along with specific guidelines for their use. In his letter, González Otero raised concerns about the criteria and evaluation system used to determine the distribution of funds, citing inconsistencies in the process.

“Our organization represents 41 mayors, and we are requesting detailed information about the evaluation process conducted by the Office of Management and Budget to establish the final distribution of funds to municipalities,” González Otero said in a written statement. “Specifically, we have outlined four key points in our letter.”

The Association’s Popular Democratic Party-affiliated mayors asked the OMB and the oversight board to provide information on the following: first, the methodology used to apply the evaluation criteria; second, the formula or weighting system used to allocate the funds; third, the specific results of the analysis conducted for each municipality; and fourth, the individual score for each municipality, including both those that were selected and those that were not.

“In accordance with the principles of government transparency, this information is essential to assess the fairness of the fund distribution from the aforementioned program, which is taken from the General Fund budget,” noted González Otero, who is the mayor of Jayuya. “Therefore, we would appreciate the requested information and an urgent meeting to gain clarity regarding this distribution.”

González Otero expressed concern about the fiscal situation many municipalities are facing due to budget cuts and the elimination of the Equalization Fund, alleging that the most recent allocations do not reflect fair or equitable criteria.

“It is widely recognized among our community that municipalities are the frontline service providers, not only during emergencies but at all times,” he said. “After being stripped of $350 million designated for community services and the elimination of the Equalization Fund, many municipalities are now in a precarious position, and there are serious inconsistencies in the distribution announced last week. This is the basis of our complaint, and we await prompt attention to this matter.”