ST. THOMAS – The Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, Chaired by Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory met in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers received testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States for the Department of Justice.
Gordon C. Rhea, Esq., Attorney General Nominee delivered the Department’s proposed FY 2025 budget of $18,831,863 from the General Fund. Of this amount, $10,483,991 is for Personnel Services, $3,896,804 is for Fringe Benefits, $290,840 is for Supplies, $3,814,314 is for Other Services, $287,400 is for Utilities, and $58,514 for Capital Outlay. The Department also expects to receive $7,421,898 in federal grants in 2025. The 2025 General Fund appropriation has decreased by $1,083,950 or 5.59% from the 2024 General Fund appropriation. There are 172 full time equivalent positions. 156.5 positions are filled. 15.5 positions are vacant. To date, there are 150 FTE positions filled. There are 16 vacancies. There are three new hires in progress.
Rhea spoke of the difficulty of retaining a Territorial Medical Examiner, which is required under the Virgin Islands Code. This position is critical to the operation of the Office of the Medical Examiner. The Department has been unable to attract a Medical Examiner at the salary of $250,000, which is well below the national average of about $313,000 a year. It is expected that through the ARPA Grant, the Department will supplement the offered salary and will hire a staff medical examiner next fiscal year. Additionally, Rhea spoke of the lack of a morgue in St. Croix being a major issue. However, a memorandum of understanding has been entered with the Juan F. Luis Hospital that expects the use of its new morgue, which should be certified for use shortly. A modular morgue is expected to be functional by the end of 2024 or earlier. Furthermore, Rhea mentioned the critical staffing needs of the Department, stating that the St. Thomas District needs four more Assistant Attorneys General and another Victim Witness Advocate. The St. Croix District needs three more Assistant Attorneys General and a Paralegal.
Senators present at today’s committee hearing included Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Samuel Carriόn, Dwayne M. Degraff, Ray Fonseca, Kenneth L. Gittens, Javan E. James, Sr., and Carla J. Joseph.
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