The housing element of the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation has been transferred to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, but Commissioner St. Claire N. Williams told the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Budget Wednesday that the department is still awaiting the legislative change of its moniker to the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation.
“While the branding of the department does not affect our ability to administer the mandates of law, it does prevent us from making a clean transition to a new era for the department and its employees,” Williams told senators.
He explained to senators that the Office of Management and Budget, in anticipating the new designation, has referred to the department as Sports, Parks and Recreation in budget submittals, making it difficult for the department to access the funds from the operating budget.
“The delay,” said Williams, “has also prevented us from using the new name to brand our recently renovated sports facilities.”
The proposed general fund appropriation for Parks and Recreation is $8,296,349, an increase of $172,322 from the 2009 budget. The money will be divided as follows: $4.8 million for personnel services, $2 million for fringe benefits, $169,500 for supplies, $139,776 for other services and charges, and $900,000 for utilities.
The department’s budget also includes $198,293 for other services and charges from non-appropriated local funds. The local funds consist of a combination of the Casino Revenue Fund, the Athletic Fund – generated through fees from summer programs, and the Territorial Park Fund – user fees charged for the use of such facilities.
The department receives $50,000 in federal funds from the Water, Land and Conservation Fund to upgrade our parks and sports facilities.
The governor’s budget also includes recommended funding in the amount of $1.5 million from the miscellaneous section. This money will be used toward items including maintenance and repairs at various parks, the V.I. Special Olympics, the Frenchtown Civic Organization, and the Carnival Horse Race Purses.
After speaking to the committee members regarding a long list of improvements to sports and park facilities throughout the territory, Sen. Nereida “Nellie” O’Reilley told Williams, “I am very pleased, and you seldom hear me compliment anyone.”
The Virgin Islands Public Television System, established in 1968 to advance the general welfare of the community through educational, cultural and public affairs programs, both local and national, for the Virgin Islands, has requested a budget appropriation of $5,196,644 but the governor’s recommended appropriation is $403,383 less than that at $4,793,261.
Additional funds from the miscellaneous section of the 2010 budget in the amount of $225,000 is expected to go toward Graffiti Street to provide educational programs for the teenage population.
Public Television is requesting $2,480,000 for personnel services, $718,144 for fringe benefits, $100,750 for supplies, $1,172,750 for other services and charges, $225,000 for utility services, and $500,000 for capital outlays.
The capital outlay projects include the parking area in Richmond, St. Croix, the Mountain Top master control facilities, security fencing and storage facilities, and renovations to the Richmond facility.
WTJX, the Public Television System channel, complied with the FCC mandated analog shut-off and converted to their digital transmitter on June 12.
The System has shifted its focus from traditional television productions to an emphasis on community outreach. With that shift in focus, the station has introduced two new programs.
"Learn360," implemented in conjunction with the Department of Education, “is an online educational research tool which allows for students and teachers to have 24/7 access to a wealth of valuable information at their fingertips,” Executive Director Osbert Potter told senators.
The home gardening project, known as Home Grown, is geared toward encouraging residents to grow their own food. Potter added, “By growing their own food, residents would be able to save money and eat healthier.”
Present at Wednesday’s hearing were Sens. Craig W. Barshinger, Carlton “Ital” Dowe, Louis P. Hill, Wayne A.G. James, Terrence “Positive” Nelson, O’Reilley, and Patrick Simeon Sprauve.