David Hall, president of the University of the Virgin Islands has disclosed that the Governor’s Office will in a few days be presented with an agricultural plan for the territory that has been developed by the Caribbean Green Technology Center.
Testifying on Bill No. 34-0173, which appropriates $280,660 to UVI for the restoration of the 8 percent salary cut to affected university employees, as well as funding for the Caribbean Green Technology Center, Mr. Hall told the Finance Committee that the center is important to the territory.
“The center is still critical to the university and to the territory especially to the local government. There are numerous essential projects that the center has done or is still engaged in that provide enormous benefits,” said Mr. Hall as he spoke about projects undertaken by the center.
“For example, the hazard mitigation plan which is critical to protect the entire Virgin Islands against future natural disasters is being developed by the center; an extensive analysis of our water supply as well as irrigation for farming and other support has been developed by the center and will be incorporated into the agricultural plan for the territory that will be submitted to this body and the governor in a few days,” he told senators during a Committee on Finance hearing Monday.
Mr. Hall indicated that the amendment provides UVI with payroll taxes which are federally mandated. “That must be paid as part of the 8 percent salary reduction restoration bill,” he said while explaining that the university's debt service line will provide the finances required for the construction at the Albert A. Sheen St. Croix campus for the School of Nursing and some funding for the Caribbean Green Technology Center.
Informing the Legislature that the center has been very successful, Mr. Hall said funds have been raised to support much of its operations. “However, the funding from this body provides it with the foundation to continue,” he said.
This amendment does not add any new funds to the university’s appropriation. The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Kurt Vialet, is providing funding for the center which for the last ten years was funded by the government but was accidentally defunded in the 2022 appropriation.
Members of the Committee on Finance also received testimony on several other bills which were voted on favorable and will be forwarded to the Rules and Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
The other measures include lease agreements between the Government and private partners. Lawmakers voted in the affirmative for Bill No. 34-0169- An Act approving the Lease Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and Antilles Gas Corporation for the leasing of Parcels Nos. 3 and 19 Submarine Base, No. 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Antilles Gas Corporation General Manager David Neely explained the importance of renewing a twenty-year lease with a five-year option. The lease expired in August 2019. The annual rent for Antilles Gas Corporation is $120,000 payable in monthly installments of $10,000 for twenty years.
A favorable vote was also received for Bill No. 34-0172 which is an Act approving the Lease Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and the Hearts in Service Association, Inc. for the leasing of Parcel No. 175C Estate Anna’s Retreat, No. 1 New Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Hearts in Service Association, Inc. Acting President Warren Hendrickson told the senators that the lease agreement will allow transitional housing accommodations for a maximum of thirty unsheltered homeless patrons, a space utilized for essential services, and to establish a soup kitchen.
Hearts in Service Association, Inc. rent totals $12,000 broken down in monthly installments of $1,000 for the duration of the lease.
In support of both lease agreements, the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement, Property and Printing Division Deputy Commissioner Vincent Richards said that in accordance with the Consumer Price Index, the rent for both leases will be adjusted to include renewal terms which were not included in previous lease agreements.
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