ST. THOMAS – The Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory, convened in a meeting at the Capital Building. The Judiciary of the Virgin Islands (branch) and the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General (VIIG) delivered a comprehensive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget for the United States Government of the Virgin Islands.

For Fiscal Year 2025, the General Fund will allocate a lump sum of $41,080,000 to the Judicial Branch of the Virgin Islands. Out of that, $41,080,000 is for the Supreme Court, and the remaining $130,620 is for the Judicial Council. However, Rhys Hodge, Chief Justice of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court, stated that the branch is requesting $55,385,237, which is $14,305,237 more than the governor’s recommendation. Hodge defended the FY 2025 budget request, stating that the Office of Conflict Counsel requires $1,687,367 in funding and an additional $148,338 for salary increases for two law librarians.

According to the FY 2025 budget request breakdown of expenditures, there are $38,056,384 for fringe and personnel services, $683,100 for supplies, $2,004,896 for utilities, $6,410,000 for capital outlays, and $6,543,490 for other services. Senator Frett Gregory inquired about the compensation plan’s cost. The Superior Court’s Administrative Judge Regina Petersen responded, stating that the compensation plan, with a total of $90,000 for the year, is on track for completion. One of the challenges facing the branch is the anticipated resignation of 43 employees eligible for retirement in 2025, followed by an additional 45 in 2026 and 57 in 2027. Hodge noted that the branch is in the process of hiring staff.

Delia Thomas, the Virgin Islands Inspector General, presented that the FY 2025 budget totals $2,898,392. The budget breakdown is as follows: $1,732,331.04 for personnel, $651,879.53 for fringe benefits, $101,938 for supplies, $340,795.42 for other services, $43,000 for utilities, and $28,447.52 for capital outlays. Compared to the FY 2024 appropriation of $2,822,627, this represents an increase of $75,765 in the FY 2025 budget of $2,898,392. Thomas defended the FY 2025 budget, stating that it will enable VIIG to finance 21.5 employee positions with a goal to expand the agency to fill up to 25 positions to effectively address audits and investigations. Additionally, she stated that her goal is to increase the investigative unit’s staffing so that it resembles the audit staff more closely. Senator Frett-Gregory requested a personnel listing that supports the proposed budget.

Senators present at today’s committee hearing included Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Franklin D. Johnson, Ray Fonseca, and Dwayne M. DeGraff.

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Press Contact: AFRICAH N.T. HARRIGAN

Email: aharrigan@legvi.org