THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OUTLINE FY 2026 BUDGET PRIORITIES 

ST. THOMAS, USVI – The Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., convened at the Capitol Building to review the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget requests of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (LGO) and the Office of the Governor (OTG).

Nadja D. Harrigan, Esq., Acting Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel for LGO, reported that the FY 2026 General Fund budget request totals $7,743,246; and supports 91 positions. In addition to the General Fund, LGO is projected to receive supplemental funding from several dedicated sources, including $3,339,991 from the Commission Insurance Administration Fund, $784,359 from the Corporation Division Revenue Fund, $9.19 million from the Financial Services Fund, $500,000 from the Tax Assessor’s Revolving Fund, $25,000 from the GIS Data Access Fund, and $148,004 from the Recorder of Deeds Revolving Fund. The FY 2026 budget breakdown is as follows: $5,222,447 for personnel services and $2,520,799 for fringe benefits totaling. Currently, LGO is the Territory’s second largest revenue-generating entity, collecting over $124.3 million in FY 2024. As of June 2025, collections exceeded $76.2 million, with FY 2025 revenues projected at $131.1 million, reflecting a 5.45% increase over the prior year. 

Projections for Fiscal Year 2026 reflect continued growth, with revenues totaling $132.6 million. Given LGO’s significant collections, Senator Francis Jr. inquired about the amount of outstanding vendor payments. Claudette Farrington, Director of Business and Financial Management, acknowledged that while some vendors have been paid, the total outstanding balance was unknown at the time of the meeting. Separately, key accomplishments of LGO include reaccreditation of the Division of Banking, Insurance, and Financial Regulation; the relocation of several offices to address health and safety concerns and the launch of Avenue Connect, which returned over $1 million in unclaimed property. Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr. inquired about the timeline for auctioning unclaimed land. Glendina Matthew explained that the parcels in question are not classified as real property and remain available to consumers and their families until officially claimed. Senator Francis emphasized the importance of establishing clear timelines and public guidance to ensure greater transparency and accessibility in the process.

Kevin Rodriquez, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Office of the Governor, testified that the administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Office of the Governor totals $14,387,494. This includes $12,812,494 from the General Fund, $1,275,000 in Miscellaneous/Special appropriations, and $300,000 from the Tourism Revolving Fund. The FY 2026 General Fund breakdown is as follows: $6,602,292 for personnel services, $2,759,643 for fringe benefits, $436,100 for supplies, $514,000 for utilities, $321,000 for capital outlay, and $2,179,459, for other services and charges. Defending the budget, Rodriquez emphasized that the requested financial resources are critical for meeting mandatory obligations and advancing key initiatives that support the core functions of the Office of the Governor, the Bureau of Economic Research, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and the Office of Health Information Technology. These initiatives are aligned with OOG’s broader efforts to enhance accessibility, reduce violence, expand digital health access, and promote data-informed policy development throughout the Territory. In response to Senator Francis’s inquiry regarding current challenges, Rodriquez stated that there are none at this time.

Senator’s present at the meeting: Chairman Novelle E. Francis Jr.; Vice Chair Marvin A. Blyden; and Senators Carla J. Joseph, Kurt A. Vialet, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Franklin D. Johnson, Hubert L. Frederick, Marise C. James, and Clifford A. Joseph Sr.

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