Photo Caption: Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor responds to a question posed by a Senator during
the VIPD’s 2021 Budget Hearing at the VI Legislature.
ST. THOMAS, USVI – The Virgin Islands Police Department completed its Fiscal Year 2021 budget hearing today. Commissioner Trevor Velinor and his leadership team defended the budget of $62,039,293 to fund the Department for next fiscal year, beginning October 1. The team advocated for funding to
support the men and women of VIPD, who have often been tasked to do more with less.
During the hearing, members were asked a series of questions related to the consent decree, strategic plan, and federal grants to name a few. VIPD has made significant strides to be released from the consent decree, complying with more than 90 of 104 paragraphs. Through continuous training, monitoring and
accountability, the Department is hopeful the end of the consent decree is near.
A strategic plan to span the next three to five years is being developed and will incorporate employee and community engagement. To build community trust, all stakeholders must play a role in its creation. To ensure strategies and processes that are established are sustainable, the plan must be crafted and
completed in phases.
As a recipient of multiple federal grants, the Department must adhere to federal guidelines. Submittal of project proposals and request for subgrantees to apply for funding are ongoing to expend the designated
funds.
In a recent communication to employees, Commissioner Velinor remarked, “We must be good stewards of our finances, maximizing the strength of every dollar spent.” He projects VIPD will spend approximately $10 million less this fiscal year than was expended last fiscal year. The Department is thankful for the taxpayers of the Territory and must do right by them. The employees of VIPD remain
committed to provide services and protection to our residents and visitors.
Communication, professionalism, and accountability continues to be emphasized by the Department.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding an important $1.4 million grant for the Juan F. Louis Hospital from FEMA to go towards the rebuilding of the U.S. Virgin Islands associated with Hurricanes Maria:
“Today, I am pleased to announce a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is for $1,440,000.00 in federal funding to the Juan F. Louis Hospital.
“The grant provides funds for the Juan F. Louis Hospital to utilize contractors to provide the Radiology Department a temporary radiology space, required to accommodate equipment purchased, and equipment installation necessary for the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center’s Radiology Department.
“The proposed scope of work includes: Purchase of a Philips CT Scan Machine with warranty. Purchase of a Philips X-Ray Machine with warranty. A&E design of the Radiology Department according to the regulatory standards and requirements. Retrofit of walls, booth windows and doors with lead-lined panels per manufacturer specifications. Design, construct and install a concrete pad to replace the CAT Scan Room floor per the manufacturer’s technical specifications. Design and install concrete footings under the THS to support the weight of the radiology equipment per the manufacturer’s technical specifications. Design and install restrooms for patients who may require them at the point of service. Installation of a UPS system on the CT Scan and the X-Ray machine to protect the motherboards in light of frequent power grid failures and surges. Installation of headwalls in the radiology rooms that will supply emergency medical air, oxygen and vacuum suction.
“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts and making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help rebuild our islands.”
The Virgin Islands Insurance Association (VIIA) is a Community Partner
in Providing Information for Hurricane and Disaster Readiness in the Territory
With early reports from forecasters that the 2020 storm season is expected to be more active than usual, the Virgin Islands Insurance Association (VIIA) urges the community to plan early, be vigilant, and be prepared.
According to Virgin Islands Insurance Association (VIIA) President Sandra Harty Gutierrez, the organization is dedicated to the stability, protection and prosperity of the Virgin Islands.
and, in case of disaster, our members will work diligently to bring relief to the insured.”
Gutierrez explained that the Virgin Islands Insurance Association’s responsibility to the territory extends beyond that of a link to the financial security that insurers provide in the aftermath of a natural disaster. VIAA members are part of the Virgin Islands community and want to educate and assist all Virgin Islanders by ensuring that disaster preparedness becomes a part of the fabric of island living, not just a seasonal occurrence, she said.
June 1st marked the official beginning of the 2020 hurricane season that will extend through November 30th. . Colorado State University’s forecast includes 19 named storms and nine hurricanes with four reaching above Category 3 status.
VIIA offers residents this checklist:
1) immediately review all insurance policies to confirm that home, business, property and automobile insurance provides adequate coverage for your needs
2) keep a list of your insurer(s) for easy access and ask all questions about the status of your coverage prior to any disaster
3) if you desire flood insurance, be aware that it is a separate policy from homeowner’s insurance and is available even if you are not in a flood zone
4) renters should consider a renter’s policy to cover personal belongings
5) condominium unit owners should buy a unit-owner’s policy and make sure it complements the coverage
provided by the condo association’s policy
6) place all important documents (policies, passports, birth certificates, legal documents, etc.) in a safe, waterproof
location which you can quickly get to if needed
7) take pictures of your home, business and property before and immediately after a disaster
8) stay tuned for all government issued emergency information and alerts using battery operated radios and
mobile devices.
Visit https://www.viinsurance.org for more information from VIIA member agencies on how to insure your home, business or property. Checklists, tips and tools are also available.
“We look forward to supporting the ongoing efforts of
Commissioner of Insurance and Lt. Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. in providing essential information to our residents
ST. THOMAS – Members of the Committee on Finance chaired by Sen. Kurt A. Vialet convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building on Wednesday to receive testimony on the FY 2021 proposed Executive Budget. Invited testifiers were the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Finance, and the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority.
“This marks the first of many meetings regarding the proposed FY 2021 Budget. The finances in the Territory are very scarce. Therefore, I hope that each department or agency that comes before the Senate will present a lean budget,” said Sen. Vialet.
The recommended FY 2021 Budget for the Office of Management and Budget totals $25.9 million. Not only did OMB Director Jenifer O’Neal defend the proposed budget but she noted that OMB strategically crafted a reformed budget for each department in alignment with the Governor’s Management Agenda, the Executive Order 497-2020, and the OMB Memorandum 06-2020 to mandate each agency to develop and implement an Agency Reform Plan. Sen. Novelle Francis inquired about the timeline to complete the performance-based budget. O’Neal indicated that the process began with the Agency Reform Plan, and there is still a need to hire personnel to review and overlook the plans. Separately, The FY 2021 budget breakdown is as follows: $24 million for the General Fund, $300,000 for the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund, and $1.5 million for the Indirect Cost Fund.
Furthermore, O’Neal stated that the FY 2021 budget includes $8.9 million for supplies, $290,000 for capital outlay, $118 million for personnel/fringe benefits. The budget is also inclusive of $1.5 million for Competitive Grants, $2.7 million for Third-Party Fiduciary, $4.8 million for the Economic Development Authority, $2.6 million for wage adjustments, and $5 million for critical vacancies. In response to Sen. Janelle Sarauw’s inquiry whether the proposed budget is sufficient, O’Neal indicated that additional monies are needed and that’s the reason why $5 million is required to fill critical vacancies. Sen. Vialet disclosed that despite the previous allocations of funds for vacancies, the monies were not utilized. “The Senate has funded vacancies for the past four years and each government agency made excuses as to why no one was hired,” Sen. Vialet said.
Consequently, Kirk Callwood, Sr., Executive Director of the V.I. Public Finance Authority stated that the recommended budget for FY 2021 totals $10 million. In comparison to FY 2020, this is a budget increase of $1.5 million. Callwood noted that the budget request intends to fund business operations inclusive of payroll, office, and administrative expenses. The budget breakdown is as follows: $2,685,000 for Administrative Services, $6,315,000 for Professional Service Agreements, and $1,000,000 for the Office of Disaster Recovery. Lastly, Kirk Callwood, Sr., Commissioner for the Department of Finance noted that the recommended FY 2021 is comprised of four major funds: $17,973,747 for the General Fund, $1,102,525 for the Government Insurance Fund, $112,023 for the Indirect Cost Fund, and $79,582 for the Data Processing Fund.