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COMMITTEE RECEIVES BUDGET UPDATE FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND PERSONNEL, APPROVES LIBERTY MOBILE LEASE AGREEMENTS - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact News | Press Releases COMMITTEE RECEIVES BUDGET UPDATE FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND PERSONNEL, APPROVES LIBERTY MOBILE LEASE AGREEMENTS Published: Jun 23, 2022 Search for: ST. THOMAS- The Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Kurt A. Vialet continued budget hearings today, in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas. The day’s agenda consisted of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget proposals for the Department of Public Works and the Division of Personnel, along with two lease agreements. The Committee received testimony from Derek A. Gabriel, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works. The recommended budget of the Department totaled $24,351,949 to be derived from the General Fund. The Department currently has 230 employees. There were 22 new hires and 23 vacancies. 11 resignations were submitted. Five employees were from the Dislocated Worker Program, and four workers were from the Senior Community Services Employment Program. Director Gabriel also spoke of staff shortages, which he sought to improve, as well as the various road improvements that have been completed by the Department throughout the territory. Senator Vialet voiced concern over employee salaries, especially those of engineers within the Department of Public Works. Director Gabriel agreed, stating that engineers with the applicable experience should have an increased salary. Testimony was also received from the Director of the Division of Personnel, Cindy L. Richardson. Director Richardson informed the Body that 636 hiring actions were completed to date for Fiscal Year 2022. This included 393 new employees to the Government of the Virgin Islands. This totals 6,065 Government of the Virgin Islands employees. The Division of Personnel currently has 43 funded positions. 42 of the positions are filled, with one vacancy. 28 positions are in the St. Thomas/St. John District and 15 are in the St. Croix District. 10 positions are represented by a union. 16 positions are classified non-union, and 17 are exempt. The recommended Fiscal Year 2023 and 2024 recommended budget totals $44.5 million. Separately, the Committee heard testimony considering two lease agreements between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and Liberty Mobile USVI, Inc., Bill No. 34-0254, an act approving the leasing of an improved portion of Parcel No. 3C-C-1 Estate Fortuna, No. 8 West End Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands consisting of approximately 2,000 US square feet or 0.046 US acres of land and Bill No. 34-0276, an act approving the leasing of Parcel No. 6-4-1 Estate Carolina, No. 1 Coral Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands to develop, construct, operate, maintain, repair, replace and upgrade a wireless communication facility and for other related purposes. Vincent Richards, the Deputy Commissioner of the Property & Printing Division of the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement delivered testimony in support of both measures. Each lease is for a term of 10 years, with the option to renew for five additional periods of 5 years each. These renewals are automatic, unless Liberty Mobile USVI Inc. provides the Government with at least 30 days written notice that they will not renew the lease. The rent for each referenced parcel will be $18,000 per year, payable in equal monthly installments of $1,500 per month during the terms of this lease. Liberty Mobile USVI Inc. is also required to pay the Government of the Virgin Islands 35% of any revenue generated from the collocation of any equipment from other telecommunication providers on these communication towers. Bala Balakrishnan, the General Manager of Liberty Mobile USVI provided additional testimony in support of the measures. Balakrishnan informed the body that these lease agreements would allow the construction of facilities that would improve wireless capabilities in the US Virgin Islands, particularly for first responders. Neighborhoods such as Estate Fortuna and Estate Carolina have been identified by Liberty Mobile as areas with poor or non-existent service. The Coral Bay site would allow improved service in the Coral Bay, Eden, Palestina, Carolina, and Calabash Boom areas. Estate Fortuna and its surrounding areas would also see improved coverage. The Committee voted in favor of the proposed lease agreements and will be sent to the Committee of Rules and Judiciary for further consideration. Senators present at today’s committee hearing included Kurt A. Vialet, Marvin A. Blyden, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Janelle K. Sarauw, Kenneth L. Gittens, Samuel Carrión, Javan E. James and Franklin D. Johnson. #### Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. 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