While the Department of Administration may not be the most visible agency in GovGuam, it helps manage how taxpayer dollars are spent, how employees are hired, and how government systems keep running. Now, as lawmakers review DOA's budget request, officials say modernization, staffing, and cyber security are becoming just as important as balancing the books.

From paying government employees, processing contracts, tracking federal grants, or hiring – much of the Government of Guam operates through the Department of Administration. And during DOA's Fiscal Year 2027 budget hearing, Director Edward Birn made it clear that while the agency's work may not always be popular, it is critical to keeping government functional, accountable, and legally compliant.

"This task is not necessarily popular, but it is essential," Birn said. Joined by his division leaders, he described DOA as being at the heart of GovGuam, responsible for making sure agencies follow rules when spending public money or hiring employees.

He acknowledged that some agencies see DOA's oversight requirements as slowing down their missions, but he warned against cutting corners for the sake of speed. "I would say to them – do not allow yourselves to confuse intention with good management," he noted.

Requesting a budget of $14.3 million for Fiscal Year '27, DOA says funding will be directed towards modernizing a government that still relies heavily on outdated processes.

The department is pushing for new digital records management tools, improved financial tracking systems, paperless recruitment processes, and AI-assisted application screening. Birn says this technology will be necessary to keep up with the growing demands of government.

He explained, "Simply throwing people at a problem – or attempting to – does not necessarily work, and usually is not the best solution."

Lawmakers also questioned why millions of dollars for police, firefighter, and corrections officer recruitment went unspent last fiscal year – asking whether DOA can speed up the hiring process to keep public safety recruitment moving.

But DOA Personnel Services Administrator Tony Aguon says the process remains lengthy because of strict security requirements — including polygraph exams, federal background checks, and psychological evaluations.

"In my experience, onboarding of law enforcement personnel may not be the most expeditious, but again – thoroughness is actual at the top priority," he said.

Cybersecurity also became a major part of the hearing. As KUAM reported, about $1.8 million was stolen after a government email account was hacked and used to redirect inter-agency transfers involving the Judiciary and DOA.

Birn told senators they're still working to recover the money, saying, "We're still trying to make sure that we get the full amount." He added, "I think we recovered about $1 million...and we're engaging the FBI on this trace process."

As DOA looks to hire more staff, modernize operations, and strengthen cyber protections, officials say their work ultimately impacts how quickly government services reach the public and how securely taxpayer money is managed.