The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, chaired by Sen. Donna A. Frett-Gregory, convened Thursday to review the proposed fiscal year 2025 budgets for the Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) and the Division of Personnel.
Chief Negotiator Joss Springette, Esq., presented the OCB’s proposed budget for FY 2025, which totals $1,375,564. Key budget allocations are $772,895 for personnel services, $330,716 for fringe benefits, $32,000 for equipment and supplies, $13,000 for utilities and $226,453 for other services.
“The Office of Collective Bargaining plays a crucial role in maintaining harmonious labor relations and ensuring that employee rights are protected,” said Springette. “Our budget is designed to support these efforts through adequate funding for personnel and essential services.”
The personnel services budget of $772,895 is designated to cover salaries and benefits for the six employees, including one assistant attorney general assigned by the Justice Department. All OCB employees are classified as non-union, while the assistant attorney general is an exempt employee.
The fringe benefits budget of $330,716 is a necessary investment in the well-being of the employees, ensuring they have access to essential benefits and resources. The budget for equipment and supplies, set at $32,000, will be used to purchase necessary office supplies, equipment, and other materials required for the OCB’s day-to-day operations. This includes investments in IT infrastructure.
The utilities budget of $13,000 is specifically allocated for the St. Croix office, reflecting the specific operational needs of that location. This allocation covers electricity, water, and other utility expenses necessary for maintaining a functional office environment.
The “other services” category, with a budget of $226,453, encompasses a wide range of essential services such as rent, IT, communications, and service agreements.
“The proposed budget reflects our commitment to maintaining high standards in labor relations and ensuring that we have the necessary resources to carry out our duties effectively,” Springette emphasized. “Each category has been carefully considered to ensure that we can meet our objectives and continue to provide essential services to the government and public sector employees.”
Division of Personnel
Cindy Richardson, director of the Division of Personnel, presented a total budget of $44,855,501 for FY 2025. The budget includes a General Fund appropriation of $44,279,634, an Indirect Cost Fund of $530,867 and a Non-Appropriated Fund of $45,000.
“The Division of Personnel’s budget is designed to support our extensive responsibilities in managing human resources and providing essential services to our employees and retirees,” Richardson stated.
The department’s total operating budget is $5,353,962, which includes $3,249,938.19 for personnel services, $1,458,360.11 for fringe benefits, $58,000 for supplies, and $587,663.70 for other services and supplies. A significant portion of the miscellaneous budget, $38,210,672, is dedicated to health insurance for retirees. Other allocations within the miscellaneous budget include $75,000 for the Certified Public Manager Program, $80,000 for GVI Employees Recognition Activities, $275,000 for the Health Insurance Board, and $285,000 for health insurance consultants.
The department’s Indirect Cost Fund is $530,867, which includes $7,869 for supplies, $303,098 for other services and charges, and $219,900 for utilities.
“The allocations within the Indirect Cost Fund are critical for supporting our ongoing operations and ensuring that we can meet the needs of our employees and retirees effectively,” Richardson explained.
“The proposed budgets for the OCB and the Division of Personnel reflect our commitment to maintaining high standards in labor relations and human resource management,” Richardson emphasized. “Each category has been carefully considered to ensure that we can meet our objectives and continue to provide essential services to the government and public sector employees.”
