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HomeNewsArchivesSenate Budget Committee Hears Funding Requests from PSC, Others

Senate Budget Committee Hears Funding Requests from PSC, Others





Senators spent an easy few hours in budget hearings Monday, breezing through testimony on fiscal year 2010 requests from the Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC), Public Services Commission (PSC) and the V.I. Taxi Cab Commission.

LEPC is the territory’s repository for federal grants that deal with criminal justice, prevention/education and victim-services programs. To date this fiscal year, the agency has awarded 37 grants totaling a little more than $2 million to government agencies, non-profits and faith-based organizations.

Its recommended FY 2010 General Fund budget is $732,163 — about $26,349 less than the agency’s FY 2009 appropriation. Of that amount, most of the money — $361,542 — will go toward personnel services, while $143,975 is slated for associated fringe benefits. The cost of operating supplies is $22,000, while utility costs are expected to total $52,982 and the other services and charges category comes in at $151,664.

The recommended FY 2010 budget for the PSC is $1.5 million — just slightly above the commission’s FY 2009 appropriation of approximately $1.4 million.

The money will come from the Public Services Commission Revolving Fund.

"We believe the proposed budget request is fair and reasonable, and ask that the budget be approved as presented," said PSC Executive Director Keithley Joseph during Monday’s Appropriations and Budget Committee meeting.

The commission’s budget includes a little more than $1 million for personnel costs and fringe benefits, $28,250 for capital outlay, $34,380 for office supplies, $383,133 for other services and charges (including advertising, travel and rental costs), and $38,584 for electricity.

Wrapping up Monday’s meeting, representatives from the V.I. Taxi Cab Commission asked senators to approve more than just the $599,952 budget recommended by the governor. The commission’s own FY 2010 budget projection is $615,804, and commission head Judith Wheatley asked senators to think about making a $2 million, one-time deposit into the Taxi Revolving Fund to help the organization "lay a foundation" and "set the standards needed to achieve its mission."

Present during Monday’s meeting were Sens. Craig W. Barshinger, Carlton "Ital" Dowe, Louis P. Hill, Neville James, Wayne James, Terrence "Positive" Nelson, Sammuel Sanes, Patrick Simeon Sprauve, Michael Thurland and Celestino A. White Sr.

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